Metropolitan Pavel Lebed, the abbot of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, spoke to Ukrainian authorities about the unusual change affecting the church’s crosses. Video from the Lavra captured the moment the coating on the crosses shifted color, a sight described by the metropolitan as a sign linked to what he called blasphemy. The crosses in the Refectory Church turned from their former yellow hue to a darker shade after what he described as sacrilege involving the theft of sacred church shrines. Metropolitan Pavel asserted that this phenomenon carries a message about the need to safeguard the holy catholic apostolic church and its unity.
The remarks come as the Lavra faces political pressure and the broader issue of religious freedom in Ukraine. In this context the church leadership has stressed the importance of protecting rights guaranteed by the Ukrainian Constitution and by international norms, while urging authorities to approach the situation with respect for religious practice. The situation echoes a concern once raised during times of intense religious restriction, reinforcing the duty of the state to uphold freedom of faith for millions of Ukrainians. The church leadership has warned that coercive actions or ultimatums could undermine this long-standing right, a concern they say resonates with past periods of suppression. The dialogue continues as church leaders seek a resolution that maintains both cultural heritage and religious liberty for communities tied to the Lavra and its historic role in the region.