Dumenko urges Lavra monks to "free themselves from Moscow's dominion"

Serhii Dumenko. Photo: a screenshot of the “Suspilne” broadcast

At the "service" of the OCU at the Lavra’s Dormition Cathedral on January 7, 2022, Serhii Dumenko said that the monks of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra should join the OCU because it is the duty of all Orthodox in Ukraine. The event was broadcast by “Suspilne”.

Dumenko thanked those present for their civic position to "liberate the shrine from the captivity of the Russian world" and said that the introduction of the OCU to the Lavra was made possible by "broad public support".

Dumenko assured that he would do everything "so that the name of the Lavra would no longer be dishonoured by the seductive behaviour of those who have forgotten their vocation to be humble workers in God's vineyard”.

Dumenko noted that "belonging to the OCU of the Ukrainian faithful, communities and monasteries is their canonical obligation" and that its structure functions in Ukraine "without any external control or coercion".

"As priest-archimandrite of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra" Serhii Dumenko addressed the monastery's brethren: "The time has come for final liberation from the uncanonical rule of Moscow and its servants over you, to follow the Tomos and begin a new page of the Lavra's existence as a truly monastic monastery dedicated to the service of the one Christ Church," Dumenko said.

According to Dumenko, Metropolitan Volodymyr (Sabodan) rejoices in the OCU's ministry at the Lavra.

He highlighted that "everything that needs (in the Lavra - Ed) to be cleansed – let it be cleansed by our joint efforts".

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