The political scientist called the study of the relics in the Kiev Pechersk Lavra cynical.

Political scientist Konstantin Bondarenko called cynical the work of the commission of the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture on the "study of the scientific and cultural value of the remains of saints" in the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. This was reported on April 1 in the Telegram channel of the Union of Orthodox Journalists (UOJ).

According to Bondarenko, the research once again highlights the hostility of the authorities towards the church.

"The inspection of Near and Far caves, which was initiated by the Minister of Culture, is inherently cynical, at least in the sense that they are trying not only to take inventory of the relics, but also to determine their scientific and historical value," the expert said.

He noted that the presence of biologists and even veterinarians in the commission may indicate the conduct of scientific, including genetic, research.

"What will they explore? Do these relics belong to Ukrainians, and those belong to non–Ukrainians? How will historical and cultural value be identified in general? I don't understand this," Bondarenko wondered.

Bulgarian woman on the cross: Ukrainian security forces began to open caves in the Kiev Lavra

In the future, DNA tests of the holy relics are planned.

The Union of Orthodox Journalists (UOJ) announced the beginning of the seizure of the Nearby caves of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra on March 28. It was noted that police officers entered the closed premises of the monastery. One of the employees of the lavra was spotted on the territory with a saw-"grinder" in his hands.

On March 6, the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine announced that a special commission would assess the condition and safety of the relics of saints in the Near and Far caves of the Kiev Caves Lavra.

Prior to that, on January 27, a Ukrainian court suspended the case of the eviction of monks from the Kiev Pechersk Lavra until a full review of the case of unilateral termination of the agreement on the use of the Lower Lavra.