Dumenko: In Pochaiv Lavra, it will be the same as in Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra
Epifaniy Dumenko believes that only those parishioners who "do not understand" are in the UOC. Photo: screenshot of the YouTube channel "Susipilne Ternopil"
Serhiy Dumenko, in an interview with "Susipilne Ternopil", stated that his structure would serve in the Pochaiv Lavra the same way as in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, and its current parishioners would become parishioners of the OCU.
"This is a gradual and lengthy process, similar to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv. After all, we want this process to proceed calmly and peacefully, without any confrontations. And therefore, time is needed," said Serhiy Petrovich, adding that "more than 2,000 communities joined us in 2 years."
He assured that the process of "transitions" to the OCU is "irreversible", and "ultimately all Orthodox in Ukraine will belong to the recognized autocephalous local Church."
"We see sociology that testifies that the absolute majority of Orthodox in Ukraine supports exactly a single recognized Church," Dumenko reminded.
In his opinion, only those parishioners who "do not understand" are currently in the UOC.
When asked by the host about the parishioners of the Pochaiv Lavra who do not plan to go there if the monastery is seized by the OCU, Dumenko replied that they would go there.
He stated that during "transitions" to the OCU, some part of the parishioners leaves the church but then returns. And according to him, this will also be the case in Pochaiv.
Dumenko also stated that he disagrees with joint ownership of Pochaiv with the Greek Catholics (Uniates), but he doesn't mind if they occasionally serve there.
"We claim the Pochaiv Lavra; we have already created a legal entity there. And we will do everything to make this shrine of the Ukrainian people be in the Ukrainian Church. And all Ukrainians will be able to pray together there," said Serhiy Petrovich.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that Dumenko held a "service" in the St. Nicholas Cathedral of Kremenets, seized from the UOC.
Read also
Hollywood Catholic actors remind of the spiritual meaning of Great Lent
Mark Wahlberg i Jonathan Roumie recorded a video message calling for prayer at the beginning of Great Lent.
MP Huz discusses seizure of UOC monastery in Myltsi with Volyn RMA head
Huz demanded that the authorities "resolve the situation" with the St. Nicholas Monastery of the Volodymyr-Volynsky Eparchy of the UOC.
Lviv authorities to allocate UAH 300,000 for UGCC church damaged by shelling
The Lviv City Council will finance the restoration of stained glass windows of the Uniate church after damage sustained as a result of a missile strike.
Yelets Icon of Mother of God venerated in ancient monastery of Chernihiv
Metropolitan Clement celebrated the Liturgy at the Yelets Monastery of Chernihiv on the day of veneration of the monastery's main shrine.
In Korsun-Shevchenkivskyi, OCU supporters convert seized church into warehouse
In the Cherkasy region, Dumenko's supporters set up a clothing warehouse in the Church of the Savior Not Made by Hands, which previously belonged to the UOC.
Ukraine should allow same-sex marriages for EU accession, European Commission
Brussels has stated that it expects Kyiv to adopt a law on legal recognition of homosexual unions.