Priest: “Come pray at the Lavra so the Venerable Fathers do not abandon us”

Archpriest Heorhii Boiko. Photo: Fortetsia Lavra

Believers continue to gather for prayer vigil at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. On March 31, 2025, following a prayer service, Archpriest Heorhii Boiko called on both clergy and laity to be more active in attending prayer gatherings at the monastery. The video was published by the Telegram channel Fortetsia Lavra.

“We come and pray, read akathists. People, thank God, are participating. But we would like to see more people from Kyiv, more veneration of the holy fathers. Because we are all grieving over what is happening with the relics. And what might still happen – we don’t even know,” said Fr. Heorhii, referring to the sacrilegious actions of the Ministry of Culture’s commission regarding the relics of the Pechersk saints.

He noted that history is repeating itself: “Once already, they mocked the venerable fathers. Once already, they called them ‘mummies.’”

“We know that when the feast day of one or another venerable father was celebrated, the brethren would carry those relics on their shoulders. And these are not mummies – they are the holy treasures God left us through the labors of these fathers, so we would turn to them in prayer,” the priest continued.

Addressing both clergy and laity, Archpriest Heorhii said: “Fathers, brothers! Kyiv priests and those who can come for the prayer standing – people are uplifted when a priest comes! The prayer immediately changes. So I appeal to both clergy and laity: let’s not be lazy about coming here. Let’s pray. Let’s turn to the venerable fathers so that they do not abandon us.”

As the UOJ previously reported, Metropolitan Viсtor of Khmelnytsky stated it is painful that the Lavra’s relics are being turned into objects of experimentation.

Read also