Zelensky and the Lavra: mene, tekel, upharsin

Zelensky at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: President's website

(Note: "Mene, Tekel, Upharsin" refers to the biblical phrase from the Book of Daniel, signifying judgment or divine warning, often interpreted as "You have been weighed, you have been measured, and you have been found wanting.")

People were outraged by both the tables inside the church (even though it was the Refectory Church) and the presence of non-Christians (at least Muslims) in the building, as well as the fact that there were many more suitable venues in Kyiv for such an event.

But it was the way everything was arranged that aroused the most emotions. Large screens, approximately 3x4 metres, were placed on both sides of the platform where Zelensky was speaking, completely covering the icons of the Kyiv Caves saints. Several smaller monitors were positioned along the walls of the church. The screens displayed a close-up image of the president.

The "Myriany" were quick to recall a statement made by Volodymyr Zelensky in the early days of his presidency: "I really want your offices to be free of my images. Because the President is not an icon, not an idol." Apparently, a lot has changed for Zelensky since then. Whether he wanted it or not, the result was that, in the Lavra, he replaced the icons of the saints. And if this is not outright sacrilege, it certainly comes very close to it. And sacrilege rarely goes without consequences.

The Bible recounts the story of King Belshazzar, who drank wine from sacred vessels stolen from the Temple of Israel, while feasting with his concubines. These vessels were considered so holy that no one, except for priests, had the right even to touch them. During the banquet, a divine hand wrote on the wall: "MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN." The prophet Daniel explained the meaning of these words to the king: MENE – God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; TEKEL – you have been weighed on the scales and found wanting; UPHARSIN – your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians. That very night, Belshazzar was killed, and Babylon fell.

We are not hinting at anything, but it’s certainly worth reflecting on.

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