The Ukrainian authorities have again shown their neo-Bolshevik essence. On 28 March, at the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, the police together with officials of the Ministry of Culture cut the locks on the entry to the Near and Far Caves — allegedly to 'check the presence and determine the historical and scientific value of the relics of the saints'.

The cynicism and outright blasphemy, contained in the official formula itself, are shocking: are state officials going to determine the sanctity of ecclesiastical sacred things? Or is there a task to divide the Monastic Fathers of the Kiev Caves into 'native' and 'foreign'? Saints of Novgorod, Smolensk, and Polotsk are known to also repose in the caves of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. The relics of the Holy Martyr Metropolitan Vladimir (Bogoyavlensky) of Kiev and Galicia, murdered in the days of the revolutionary terror in 1918, repose in the Far Caves. He is a native of Tambov region. Could it be that the authorities are preparing DNA tests for determining the 'Ukrainian origin' of the relics?

The commission of the Ministry of Culture will be working on Great Lent and Paschal Week, which is, in fact, a challenge to all Orthodox Ukrainians. The state is clearly trying to set itself against the Church, like the Bolsheviks did. They initiated an inspection of the relics of the Kiev-Pechersk God-pleasers back in 1922, and later, throughout the entire period of the Soviet rule, the relics were repeatedly disturbed.

Believers know the incorruptibility of the Monastic Fathers of the Kiev Caves to be a sign of sanctity. There are a multitude of examples of hopelessly sick people receiving complete healing when praying before the relics. It is a testimony of the fact that the Holy Spirit, Whom the righteous receive during their lives through great labours and sorrows, becomes present not only in their souls but also in their bodies, not leaving them after their death. Therefore, the relics of the Venerable Fathers of the Kiev Caves are not 'remains' for laboratory experiments. They are a sacred thing.

Today at the Lavra, the Ukrainian authorities are acting not only against the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church. They are committing sacrilege and deriding the entire Orthodoxy. For the Kiev Caves Lavra and the relics of the Monastic Fathers of the Kiev Caves are pan-Orthodox sacred things. It is the only place on earth where such a number of incorruptible relics repose. I hope that the actions of the Ukrainian authorities have entailed a response from all the Local Orthodox Churches.


But most importantly, the authorities are inviting new trouble and sufferings on Ukraine by challenging the Lord and the Church as His creation. It is another trial sent to all true believers for testing the strength of their faith. The Monastic Fathers of the Kiev Caves will be able to stand up for themselves through the power of their prayer before the Lord. But by their insolence and attempt to throw a challenge to God, the authorities are consciously inviting troubles not only on themselves but also on the whole country.

The only thing left for us to do is to pray for Ukraine and pray that peace and well-being may return to our land. And those who have chosen the path of theomachism — they have decided their fate themselves.