Amsterdam: Disturbing the relics of Kyiv Lavra saints is complete blasphemy
Robert Amsterdam. Photo: TRT World
International lawyer Robert Amsterdam, who represents the interests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, stated on Turkish broadcaster TRT that the intrusion of Ukrainian authorities into one of the most revered shrines in the Orthodox world – the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra – is outright blasphemy. The interview with the UOC’s attorney was published on the Nexus YouTube channel on April 4, 2025.
Commenting on the work of the commission assigned to "examine" the relics of the Pechersk saints, Amsterdam told the Turkish audience that “they're out to completely destroy the thousand-year-old Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and as recently as last Friday they invaded the most sacred Lavra in Ukraine and are disturbing the remains of thousand-year-old saints.”
“This is complete blasphemy,” the international human rights advocate emphasized.
As previously reported by the UOJ, Amsterdam has stated that repealing the law targeting the UOC should be a condition for U.S. aid to Ukraine.
Read also
Most Britons oppose abortions, poll finds
The survey found that 62% of UK residents support legal protection for unborn children from the moment their heartbeat is first detected.
Annual academic conference opens at Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary
The fifteenth annual conference was dedicated to the anniversaries of Prince Vasyl-Kostiantyn Ostrožský and Metropolitan Rafail (Zaborovský).
Feminists attack Roman Catholic churches in Latin America
During protest actions, members of radical groups attacked cathedrals in several Latin American countries, assaulted police officers, and threw paint at believers.
UOC hierarch takes part in German bishops’ conference
Bishop Veniamin of Boyarka took part in the OBKD assembly in Düsseldorf.
Ivano-Frankivsk scraps school project planned on demolished UOC church site
The authorities in Ivano-Frankivsk have dropped plans to build the school for whose construction a UOC church was demolished.
Shostatsky to UOC: If you are so righteous – do not cling to your churches
The OCU metropolitan called on UOC faithful and clergy to pray rather than defend their churches from seizures.