OCU establishes "Pochaiv Monastery" structure

Pochaiv Lavra. Photo: Obozrevatel

On February 3, 2025, the Synod of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) announced the creation of the "Pochaiv Holy-Spiritual Men’s Monastery of the Ternopil Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Orthodox Church of Ukraine)," according to the OCU's official website. The decree was signed by Epifaniy Dumenko, and "Metropolitan" Nestor Pysyk of Ternopil and Kremenets was appointed as the head of the new structure.

It will be reminded that in March 2023, the OCU established the "Pochayiv Holy Assumption Lavra of the Ternopil Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Orthodox Church of Ukraine)," with the same Nestor Pysyk appointed as its "holy archimandrite". The OCU has not clarified how these decrees relate to each other or where the new structure will be physically located.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), stated that the authorities should take into account his structure when "they consider how to manage the Pochaiv Lavra after its demoscovization."

Read also

U.S. bishops call for Church unity on Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy

The Assembly of Bishops of the USA has issued an encyclical for the Triumph of Orthodoxy on Church unity, veneration of icons, and support for pan-Orthodox ministry.

OCU organizes harassment of businessman for aiding UOC

Hryshchuk called for boycotting the business of the entrepreneur who built a UOC church in the Rivne region.

Head of Lavra Reserve: I believe UOC monks will move to the OCU

Ostapenko said there are 140 UOC monks and novices on the territory of the Lower Lavra.

"Shield of Judah": Biblical name given to operations against Iran

A joint Israeli–US military operation against Iran has received a code name referencing the biblical forefather of the Jewish royal line.

In Syria, Islamic militants behead statues of Christ and Virgin Mary

Vandals beheaded statues of the Lord and the Mother of God at the entrance to the "Cave of the Virgin Mary" in the village of Al-Basiya near the coastal city of Banias in Syria.

Icon with particle of Gabriel Urgebadze's relics to be brought to Uzhhorod from Georgia

The holy icon, painted in Georgia, will be brought to the Holy Trinity Church of the Mukachevo Eparchy of the UOC.