Ministry of Culture officials re-enter Lavra's Near Caves

On April 1, 2025, several individuals entered the Near Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Corresponding photos were obtained by UOJ. One of the individuals was carrying a lighting device mounted on a tripod.

As a reminder, on March 28, members of the Ministry of Culture’s commission on determining the “presence of relics” – accompanied by police – broke the locks on the doors to the Near and Far Caves and replaced them with their own. Based on this, it can be assumed that those who entered the Near Caves on April 1 were commission members returning to continue their work of assessing the “scientific and historical value” of the relics of the Venerable Fathers of the Caves. The commission reportedly includes biologists, veterinarians, embryologists, and embalming specialists.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Metropolitan Theodosiy commented on the commission’s activities in the Lavra. A Greek theologian also appealed to Church primates regarding the desecration in the Lavra.