Pochaiv Lavra on inventory of holy relics: 'Vandalism and sacrilege'
The Pochaiv Lavra brethren have commented on the heritage reserve's intention to take stock of the relics of the venerable saints of Pochaiv.
The Dormition Pochaiv Lavra reported that the Ministry of Culture had sent them an inventory list that includes the incorrupt relics of Venerable Saints Job and Amphilochius of Pochaiv. This was disclosed by the monastery's dean, Hieromonk Andriy.
"On January 20, 2025, the Pochaiv Lavra received a new draft inventory act, which, in addition to the 1967 list of 58 items, includes nearly all movable valuables of the Lavra that have never been inventoried before. This includes the incorrupt relics of Venerable Job, abbot of Pochaiv, and Venerable Amphilochius. We are categorically opposed to this illegal inventory," stated the monastery superior.
He emphasized that such acts of vandalism, sacrilege, and humiliation of the religious beliefs of the monks and faithful of the Pochaiv Lavra were not even carried out by the communist Soviet authorities.
"Having reviewed the findings of the report, we did not find a single instance where the commission issued a remark or directive for the Pochaiv Lavra to address violations. This reveals clear actions aimed at confiscating the Lavra’s property. It has been repeatedly emphasized in the recommendations to 'terminate the usage agreement,'" Father Andriy said.
The monastery's property, which the state was supposed to return to the monks after the collapse of the USSR, was never returned. Furthermore, government representatives are now trying to ultimately ban the monks from using the churches and cells, the clergyman stressed.
The monks reminded the head of the commission about the hazardous structures under the responsibility of the Kremenets-Pochaiv Reserve. Some of these dilapidated buildings are even inhabited by people. Meanwhile, the Pochaiv Lavra is in excellent condition.
In their view, all actions by representatives of the Ministry of Culture and the heritage reserve indicate bias and injustice toward the monks of the Pochaiv Lavra.
As previously reported by the UOJ, the inventory commission was accompanied by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).
