UOC hierarch on MinCulture's inspection of relics in Kyiv Lavra: "Devils"
Bolsheviks before the relics of saints. Photo: facebook.com/arh.iona
On March 6, 2025, Archbishop Iona (Cherepanov) sharply criticized representatives of the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, who announced the creation of a commission to "inspect" the relics of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
In his Facebook account, the bishop wrote: "Devils, Lord forgive me! Will the venerable saints endure such sacrilege? Or will they harshly admonish the modern Leninists?"
Archbishop Iona accompanied his post with a photograph showing a group of Bolsheviks standing before the relics of saints.
The day before, on March 5, the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine signed an order to establish a commission tasked with inspecting the remains of saints resting in the Near and Far Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
According to Order No. 214, the commission must conduct a "study" of the holy relics by May 30, 2025, assess their historical and scientific value, and compile lists of items classified as cultural heritage.
As stated in the document, the results of the commission’s work will be classified and designated 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. Oversight of the commission's work has been entrusted to Ukraine's Minister of Culture, Mykola Tochytsky.
Read also
Media: In Syria, Islamists kill a huge number of civilians
According to various sources, the number of victims of Islamists in Syria may range from 1,000 to over 10,000.
The Church сelebrates the Finding of the Head of John the Forerunner
The celebration of the First and Second Finding of the Head of John the Forerunner is one of the significant days in the Orthodox calendar.
The Church celebrates Triumph of Orthodoxy
By pronouncing anathema upon someone, the Church testifies that this person, even if they call themselves a Christian, has no connection to the Church.
Ministry of Culture: Cross on Lavra сhurch fell due to Russian shelling
The reserve suggested that seismic vibrations from Russian missile strikes negatively affected the church, which has required comprehensive restoration since the 1980s.
Cross collapses from the dome of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra's All Saints Church
The Church of All Saints is located within the Upper Lavra, which is currently under the administration of the National Reserve.
Dumenko visits Istanbul
The head of the OCU was met at the airport by Ukraine’s Consul General in Turkey, Roman Nedilskyi.