Veterinarian on relics commission revealed to hold awards from OCU

Oleh Melnyk has received 16 orders and medals from Filaret Denysenko and Epifaniy Dumenko.

A member of the Ministry of Culture’s commission tasked with examining the “historical and scientific value of the relics” in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Doctor of Veterinary Sciences and Head of the Department of Vertebrate Biomorphology at the National University, Oleh Melnyk, has turned out to be the recipient of 16 awards, medals, and certificates from both the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate (UOC-KP) and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). This was reported by Deacon Andriy Hlushchenko on his Facebook page.

In detail, Melnyk received:

• 2013 – Order of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker (UOC-KP);
• 2014 – Order of St. George the Victorious (UOC-KP);
• 2014 – Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called, 2nd Class (highest UOC-KP award);
• 2014 – Certificate of Distinction (UOC-KP);
• 2015 – Order of Christ the Savior (UOC-KP), Order of Prince Volodymyr, 3rd Class (UOC-KP);
• 2016 – Medal of Cyril and Methodius (UOC-KP);
• 2018 – Order of Prince Volodymyr, 2nd Class (UOC-KP);
• 2019 – Order of Prince Volodymyr, 1st Class (UOC-KP), Certificate of Distinction (OCU), Order of Archangel Michael, 2nd Class (OCU), Medal "For Sacrifice and Love for Ukraine" (OCU);
• 2020 – Order of Prince Volodymyr, 3rd Class (OCU), Medal of St. George the Victorious (OCU);
• 2021 – Distinction of the Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon (OCU), Order of Prince Volodymyr, 2nd Class (OCU).

Previously, the UOJ analyzed the government’s motives in appointing anatomists and veterinarians to examine the relics of the Pechersk saints.