Activist demands replacing “Moscow” eagles in Sophia Cathedral with trident

An activist covers the double-headed eagle on the Royal Doors at St. Sophia of Kyiv. Photo: Havrylenko’s Facebook page

At St. Sophia of Kyiv Cathedral, activist Stepan Havrylenko demanded that images of double-headed eagles on the iconostasis be replaced with Ukraine’s state trident. He explained his actions as part of the struggle against “Russian imperial policy.”

The visitor confronted museum staff over what he called “imperial symbols” on the iconostasis’s Royal Doors. The administration explained that the images are coats of arms of the Byzantine Empire and that the cathedral is protected by UNESCO, ruling out any removal work.

Despite the explanation, Havrylenko covered parts of the iconostasis with cloth without authorization, saying it was “better to keep them out of sight and away from sin.” On social media, he called the historic reliefs a “two-headed chicken” and said they should be replaced with the trident of Holy Prince Volodymyr. He addressed this demand to Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications.

Social media users criticized the visitor’s actions. Commenters described the initiative as “ostentatious vandalism” and a display of “ignorance.” Others expressed outrage that an unauthorized person had been allowed to interfere with museum exhibits in the altar area.

As previously reported by the UOJ, the St. Sophia of Kyiv Reserve is set to begin promoting the army.

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