Reserve Director: Relics are exhibits handled by anthropologists

Celebration of the memory of St. Theodosius of Chernihiv. Photo: UOC's press service

The head of the Ancient Chernihiv Reserve, Natalia Rebrova, stated in an interview with the Pechera publication that the relics of three saints of the Trinity Cathedral in Chernihiv, following the expulsion of the UOC community, are "in perfect order".

According to her, these are "specific exhibits" that are "regularly examined by specialists, including anthropologists".

"I would like to point out that at the beginning of 2024, the relics of three Chernihiv saints were officially registered as state property. For the first time in Ukraine, the Ministry of Culture made this decision," Rebrova proudly noted.

When asked by a journalist whether believers would have access to the relics, the official gave a vague response: "Yes, we understand the necessity of this. But this issue is still under discussion. We believe that simply opening access to the relics in a museum setting is not appropriate. The question of the use of the Trinity Cathedral by a church community needs to be resolved," Rebrova stated, implying that the UOC is not considered such a community.

When the journalist pointed out that UOC believers claim their sacred items are being taken away and that they do not consider themselves part of the "Moscow Patriarchate", Rebrova replied: "Whether they consider themselves part of it or not – these are all opinions. There is reality, and there is truth."

Background: The Trinity Cathedral in Chernihiv houses the relics of Chernihiv saints: St. Theodosius of Chernihiv, St. Laurence, St. Philaret, as well as relics of Michael and Theodore, and those of some saints of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

Earlier, UOJ reported that, according to the director of the Ancient Chernihiv Reserve, UOC monks are under the illusion that they will remain in the monasteries forever.

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