Met Luke: Bolsheviks acted more honestly in Lavra than today’s authorities

Soviet poster about the opening of tombs with relics in 1918–1920. Photo: Metropolitan Luke’s Telegram channel

On August 22, 2025, Metropolitan Luke published a statement on his Telegram channel expressing deep indignation at the events unfolding in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

He characterized what is taking place in the Lavra as “innovations of hell” – behind the words about “creativity” and “spirituality” he sees legalized sacrilege.

The hierarch noted that even the Bolsheviks during the times of Church persecution were more straightforward: they openly declared their godlessness, whereas today’s authorities hide behind rhetoric about faith, hypocritically presenting sacrilege as development. According to him, everything built upon the desecration of holy things is doomed, for true spirituality comes only from God.

“On the bones of saints one cannot raise a temple of new life – it will only turn out to be a whitewashed tomb wrapped in words of ‘development,’ beautiful on the outside but inside full of all uncleanness. ‘Innovations’ against God are not development but eternal perdition,” the hierarch emphasized.

He also drew attention to the statements of the Lavra reserve leadership about “combining spirituality, culture, and innovations” in the monastery. According to him, instead of genuine spiritual life, people are being offered a surrogate covered with cultural slogans, which in reality is blasphemy.

Particular outrage was caused by plans to include the first service of OCU head Epifaniy Dumenko in the Lavra’s caves in UNESCO’s list of intangible heritage. Luke called this “the abomination of desolation and a demonic mockery of the holy place,” which may be presented in earthly documents as “creativity,” but in God’s History will remain a testimony of blasphemy and betrayal of Christ.

In conclusion, the bishop stressed that current events are a test of faith for the children of the Church. He urged the faithful not to fear what is happening but to confess Christ firmly, reminding that God is long-suffering, yet His judgment is inevitable.

We recall that on August 20, 2025, acting director of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra reserve Svitlana Kotliarevska announced plans for the “derussification” of the frescoes of the Dormition Cathedral, noting that she is seeking sponsors for the work.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that reserve staff in the Lavra have been conducting manipulations with the relics of the Venerable Fathers of the Caves.

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