Holy relics defiled: Lavra turns to state investigators amid scandal
Far Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: Lavra’s official website
April 8, 2025 – Representatives of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra have submitted a formal complaint to the Territorial Department of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) regarding alleged criminal offenses committed during a state commission’s "inspection" of relics in the Lavra's Near and Far Caves.
According to lawyer Nikita Chekman, who shared the news via his Telegram channel, the actions of Ukraine’s Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications, Mykola Tochynskyi, along with members of the commission he appointed, may constitute criminal violations under two articles of the Ukrainian Criminal Code.
The Lavra’s legal team alleges that Minister Tochynskyi’s Order No. 214, issued on March 5, 2025, effectively authorized actions that fall under the legal definition of “desecration of a human body committed by a group of persons” (Part 3, Article 297), and “offending citizens’ religious feelings committed by an official” (Part 2, Article 161).
The monastery expressed particular outrage over the composition of the commission, which included not only human biology experts but also specialists in veterinary medicine and the biomorphology of vertebrate animals. According to Lavra representatives, the very formation of such a commission and its examination of holy relics is deeply offensive to Orthodox believers.
The lawyer further emphasized that the commission’s actions effectively amount to the exhumation of human remains, a process that requires specific legal procedures and justification – which, in this case, are absent.
The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is currently awaiting the launch of a pre-trial investigation.
Earlier, the UOJ analyzed what it called sacrilegious actions by authorities at the Lavra.
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.