MinCulture sets up commission to inspect holy relics in Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra
Holy relics of the Venerable Kyiv Pechersk Saints. Photo: citykiev
On March 5, 2025, the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine established a commission to inspect the incorrupt relics of the Venerable Saints of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in the Far and Near Caves of the monastery. According to a decree published on the ministry's website, information about the work and results of the inspection will be classified.
According to Order No. 214 of March 5, the Ministry of Culture instructed the commission to carry out an inspection by May 30 to verify "the presence of the relics of saints in the tombs of the Near and Far Caves of the National Reserve 'Kyiv Pechersk Lavra'" and to determine their historical and scientific value.
The document states that if the commission discovers "items falling under the definition of cultural property within the Law of Ukraine 'On the Export, Import, and Return of Cultural Property,' a corresponding list must be compiled and attached to the official report.
The Ministry of Culture has designated all information related to the commission’s work as 'restricted-access information.'
Volodymyr Shornikov, Director of the Department for the Protection and Preservation of Cultural Heritage, has been appointed head of the commission. The commission will be directly supervised by the Minister of Culture, Mykola Tochytskyi.
Previously, the UOJ reported that the Pochaiv Lavra condemned the planned inventory of the relics of the Venerable Saints of Pochaiv, calling it "vandalism and sacrilege."
Read also
Kosovo to enact law restricting Serbian Church, experts say
Analysts warn that the new "Law on Foreigners" in Kosovo could restrict the presence of clergy, believers' access to shrines, and increase pressure on the Serbian community.
Congress Speaker: Demand to introduce Sharia law in USA is a serious problem
The Speaker of the House of Representatives stated that there is growing concern in society about attempts to impose Islamic law, which is incompatible with the American Constitution.
UK government introduces restrictions on "anti-Muslim hostility"
UK authorities have adopted a new definition of "Islamophobia" which, according to experts, could provide Muslims with special protection and restrict freedom of speech.
Dumenko brings icon in Church Slavonic to Ministry of Health
Epifaniy presented cardiologists with an Intercession icon, with inscriptions in Church Slavonic, which his structure calls a "sign of the Moscow tradition".
ISIS supporters carries out terrorist attack at anti-Islamic protest in NY
Near the home of New York's Muslim mayor, radicals threw two makeshift bombs at protesters during an anti-Islamic rally.
Hryshchuk: If UOC hands over its church itself, angle grinders aren't needed
An OCU chaplain called on UOC believers to accept the loss of the shrine for the sake of their own "enlightenment".