On March 25, 2025, a commission of the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine arrived on the territory of the "Lower" Assumption Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, which is to conduct an "audit" of the holy relics of the Kiev-Pechersk saints. A group of people representing the commission gathered at the entrance to the Nearby Caves of the Lavra, the official telegram channel of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra reports. The situation near the caves is calm, the brethren and lawyers of the monastery are constantly present at the site.
The creation of a special commission to "inspect the relics" resting in the Kiev Pechersk Lavra was announced in early March. The verification must be completed by May 30th. The order notes that if, during the work of the commission, "objects falling under the definition of cultural property are identified, [it is necessary] to draw up appropriate lists and attach them to the certificate." The Ministry of Culture also informed that information about the work of the commission in the department will be classified as "with limited access," TASS reports.
The Kiev authorities have consistently ousted the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church from the Kiev Caves Lavra. In March 2023, the museum-reserve of the same name terminated the lease agreement with the canonical church. In early July of the same year, the commission of the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine came to the lavra, changed the locks and sealed the buildings. The parishioners tried to prevent this by organizing prayer meetings. However, the staff of the reserve and the members of the commission involved the police in their "work".