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
"Parishioners" brought to Lavra by buses on Epifaniy's name day, media
People from different regions were brought in an organized manner to the "service" of the head of the OCU at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
Yermak consults fortune teller before important appointments, prosecutor says
Private correspondence with a fortune teller was found with the former head of the President's Office, in which he coordinated personnel decisions.
SBU searches home of Metropolitan Longin’s daughter
Law enforcement officers detained the hierarch's son-in-law, who has many children, and refused to allow a lawyer to participate in investigative actions at the family's private home.
Vienna hosts regional congress of Ukrainian Orthodox youth
Youth from seven European countries discussed the spiritual foundations of democracy and prayed for peace in Ukraine before a particle of the Life-Giving Cross.
Persecuted UOC community in Zadubrivka celebrates patronal feast
The faithful celebrated the Liturgy in a house church and held a water-blessing service at the site where a new church in honor of Venerable Amphilochius of Pochaiv is being built.
Thousands of faithful gather at Pochaiv Lavra for feast of St Amphilochius
The pilgrimage to the relics of Venerable Amphilochius of Pochaiv on his feast day is a long-standing tradition of the UOC.