Now the network is actively discussing the allegedly mysterious darkening of the crosses on the domes of the Refectory Church of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. Representatives of the UOC-MP and supporters of this organization immediately began to declare that this allegedly happened due to the fact that representatives of the OCU hold services there.

Metropolitan Evstratiy Zarya, Metropolitan of the Bila Tserkva HCU, reacted to such speculations. He noted that such replication of the news about the “darkened crosses” occurred at the suggestion of the rector of the Lavra from the UOC-MP Pavel Lebed.

How the UOC-MP speculates

On March 12, some media began to circulate the news that it was on that day that the crosses on the Refectory Church of the Lavra turned black and Pavel Lebed himself, better known as Pasha Mercedes, complained that this happened “through the divine service of unfortunate Ukrainians,” referring to the HCU.

However, Yevstratiy Zarya noted that such “news” is nothing more than ordinary speculation, since even in the photo of January 7, 2023 you can see that the crosses on the Refectory Church are the same as on March 12. And in July 2022, they were the same.

If you search on the net, you can see a lot of such photos – just from the time when Pavel and the MP were hosts in the Refectory. That is, they left the temple already with darkened crosses. Therefore, if we interpret this as a sign, then rather as a sign of service in the Lavra of Paul and his associates, – Zarya emphasized.

The darkened crosses of the Refectory Church of the Lavra in July 2022 and January 2023 / Collage of Channel 24

So why did the crosses turn dark

The reason for the darkening of the crosses on the Refectory Church is not at all symbolic and mystical, but logical. In a commentary to the TSN publication, the workers of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra reserve said that this happened several years ago. Director of the reserve Konstantin Krainy noted that the crosses were last restored more than 50 years ago.

The crosses have been dark for many years, because they were gilded in the 60s. The last restoration took place in the late 60s – early 70s. For the last 20 years, they look like this. Gilding them is a very expensive job. For example, 10 years ago they gilded the cross on the large Lavra bell tower, so it looks bright. The crosses on the Refectory Church have not been updated recently. Last year we straightened them out because they leaned a little,” Krainiy says.

Recall that from January 5, the Assumption Cathedral and the Refectory Church of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra became the property of the state. At the end of March, the contract with the UOC-MP for the lease of other premises of the Lavra will be terminated.