The Far Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra have been reopened to visitors. The first excursion was attended by Metropolitan Epiphanius and Minister of Culture Tetiana Berezhna.
Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra / © pixabay.com
The Far Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra are now open for visits again after a long five-year break. The first official tour took place there, attended by the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Metropolitan Epiphanius, and the Minister of Culture, Tetiana Berezhna. From today, all willing believers will be able to visit the remote areas of the reserve and attend services in the caves.
This is reported in a segment by TSN correspondent Nelli Kovalska.
What is happening in the Far Caves of the Lavra
An ancient cemetery, lush green gardens, and majestic churches are found every few meters of the historic territory of the Lavra.
Metropolitan Epiphanius fondly recalls that just six years ago, it was difficult for Ukrainians to even imagine Ukrainian being freely spoken within these walls.
Epiphanius, Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine: “Journalists asked me then if I believed I would ever serve in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, and I answered affirmatively, that I sincerely believed it. I well remember the skeptics’ comments at the time, because it really seemed extremely difficult. But the Lord has brought everything to completion in such a way that true miracles happen in our lives according to our faith.”
Today, the entire official delegation will visit the first major Ukrainian excursion to the Far Caves. But first, according to ancient Orthodox tradition, a prayer. Metropolitan Epiphanius personally distributes thin wax candles to everyone present. Minister of Culture Tetiana Berezhna makes the sign of the cross as clergy begin their prayer chant.
Along with the delegation, TSN journalists descend endless steep stairs deep underground – directly to the Far Caves.
These underground labyrinths are truly unique to world Christianity: it was here that Saint Theodosius, one of the prominent founders of the Pechersk Monastery, settled. This means that the entire majestic Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra began precisely from these modest underground chambers.
Myrrh-Streaming Heads and the Relics of Pope Clement
In the Far Caves, there is a unique room where the myrrh-streaming heads of ancient saints are preserved with special reverence. A wondrous oily liquid – myrrh – is periodically released from them. Modern scientific studies of the chemical composition of this substance have proven that it is exclusively of natural protein origin, and it is simply impossible to artificially reproduce it in laboratory conditions.
The main holy relic of this sacred place is the head of the third Pope of Rome, Saint Clement. In the first century AD, he was brutally killed by iconoclastic pagans in the territory of Crimea. Later, the sacred relic was found and solemnly transferred to Kyiv by the legendary enlighteners – Saints Cyril and Methodius.
Another legendary relic of the caves is a fragment of the holy relics of an infant, the first martyr in the history of Christianity. This is one of those 14,000 infants from Bethlehem who were mercilessly killed at the beginning of our era by order of King Herod, who was trying to find the infant Christ among the newborns. The holy relics of the child were brought to Kyiv in the 16th century by Patriarch Theophanes of Jerusalem.
Near the very exit of the underground complex rests a saint who suffered at the hands of godless people relatively recently – about 100 years ago.
When the Far Caves Will Be Open to Tourists
This short but extremely rich excursion made a huge impression on the Minister of Culture of Ukraine.
Tetiana Berezhna, Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications: “It is extremely important that the Ukrainian state and the Ukrainian Church are united in these difficult times for the country. After all, we have a common great goal – our victory, a just peace, and the soonest possible end to this terrible war.”
The General Director of the National Reserve “Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra,” Maksym Ostapenko, announced that from now on, all those who wish will be able to see all these unique shrines with their own eyes.
Maksym Ostapenko, Director of the Reserve: “The entrance will be fully open for now, during this coming month, exclusively for believers – for those people who truly spiritually need to pray at the relics of the venerable fathers. And approximately from August 15, we will open free access for regular visitors within excursion tourist groups.”
In order to visit the Far Caves in the coming days, citizens must call the administration of the reserve in advance and register. Famous historian and director of the Institute of National Remembrance, Oleksandr Alfiorov, is convinced that real life will surge with renewed vigor within these walls when pilgrims from all corners of Ukraine finally return to the Lavra.
Oleksandr Alfiorov, Director of the Institute of National Remembrance: “First and foremost, it is necessary for the war to end with a victory, and for that peaceful time to finally come when thousands of people will again go with sincere prayers and requests here, to the Kyiv shrines.”
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