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
Church celebrates feast of Holy Foremost Apostles Peter and Paul
On July 12, the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul, the Apostles' Fast (Peter's Fast) comes to an end for Orthodox Christians.
UGCC cleric criticizes OCU head for awarding Greek Catholic officials
Hieromonk Yustyn Boiko of the Lviv Archeparchy called the awarding of church honors to officials a profanation and cited the example of an OCU order presented to a Greek Catholic official.
Expert who found no defamation in Dumenko’s remarks to face disciplinary action
An Interior Ministry research center has confirmed disciplinary measures against the expert whose findings supported what the Metropolitan’s representatives described as unfounded accusations by the OCU head against Metropolitan Theodosiy.
European Parliament condemns forced Islamization of children in Pakistan
The European Parliament has called on Pakistan to establish a mechanism to protect Christian families.
Church of the Presentation damaged by shelling in Russia’s Kursk Region
The newly built church in the village of Kulbaki, Glushkovo District, was completely gutted by fire after being struck by a projectile.
UOC priests take part in celebrations at Romania’s Putna Monastery
Clergy of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy took part in a festive service at the ancient shrine of the Romanian Orthodox Church.