Internet shows condition in which Chernihiv shrines were transferred to UOC
Archival photographs show that Chernihiv’s ancient churches were handed over to believers after decades of neglect and destruction.
The Chernihiv Eparchy has published archival photographs of Trinity Cathedral showing the condition of the shrine when it was transferred to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the late 1980s.
The post on the “Orthodox Chernihiv Region” photo archive page came in response to accusations by representatives of the “Ancient Chernihiv” Reserve that damage to the frescoes had been caused by the actions of the religious organization. The archival images show significant damage to the walls and paintings, traces of dampness, and general neglect after decades during which the church had been used for purposes other than worship.
The eparchy stresses that it was the Orthodox community that carried out restoration work, repairs, and the regular maintenance of the cathedral over the following decades. According to the authors of the post, the situation was similar with Chernihiv’s Transfiguration Cathedral.
“Despite the devastation of that time, the Church, through its own efforts, managed step by step to restore, preserve, and properly maintain all this for more than 30 years,” the statement reads.
The religious community shouldered the enormous financial burden of maintaining, overhauling, and heating these unique architectural monuments, effectively relieving the state of that responsibility.
“It is painful and offensive to see today’s officials, instead of showing elementary gratitude for the rescue of this heritage, cynically and endlessly accusing the Church of allegedly ‘improper maintenance’ of the shrines. They should be ashamed of such a short memory and such blatant distortion of history. Archival photos do not lie – see for yourselves,” the eparchy added.
As previously reported by the UOJ, drama theater performers danced in Trinity Cathedral in Chernihiv before the holy relics.
