MinCulture commission arrives with police to "inventory" relics at Lavra

Police in the territory of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: Nikita Chekman's Telegram channel

On the morning of March 28, a commission arrived at the Lower Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra to carry out an “inventory and inspection” of the holy relics in the Near Caves, according to the monastery’s lawyer, Archpriest Nikita Chekman. Accompanied by law enforcement officers, members of the commission plan to open reliquaries, count the relics, and take samples for DNA analysis. One of the Reserve's staff members brought a grinder to cut the locks.

For similar actions, employees of the Ministry of Culture also entered the Far Caves of the monastery.

As a reminder, the order to establish the commission was signed by the Ministry of Culture on March 5, 2025. According to this document, the commission must, by May 30, verify the “presence of relics in the tombs of the Near and Far Caves of the National Reserve ‘Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra’” and assess their historical and scientific value. If any items are found to fall under the category of cultural property, they will be included in special registers for further reporting.

The Ministry of Culture has classified the commission’s work and results, labeling them “restricted access information.” The commission is headed by Volodymyr Shornikov, Director of the Department for the Protection and Preservation of Cultural Heritage. Oversight of the inspection is being carried out personally by Minister of Culture Mykola Tochytskyi.

On March 25, 2025, representatives of the Ministry of Culture had already visited the territory of the Lower Lavra. At that time, the monastery brethren and representatives were present near the entrance to the Near Caves, documenting the events.

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