Chernihiv authorities allow OCU into Trinity Cathedral taken from UOC
Serhii Dumenko in the Trinity Cathedral of Chernihiv. Photo: OCU press service
On June 9, 2025, on the feast of the Holy Spirit, the Chernihiv authorities allowed OCU members, led by Epifaniy Dumenko, into the Trinity Cathedral, which was taken from the UOC. This was reported by the official OCU website.
Dumenko "consecrated the altar" and performed a "liturgy".
After the event, the head of the OCU awarded a certificate of distinction to Natalia Rebrova, the head of the "Ancient Chernihiv" Reserve, who oversaw the expulsion of the UOC from the cathedral.
It should be noted that the Trinity Cathedral of Chernihiv houses the relics of St. Theodosius of Chernihiv, Venerable Lavrenty, St. Philaret, the relics of Michael and Theodore, and some saints of the Kyiv Caves Lavra. Earlier, Rebrova stated that these are "specific exhibits" that are "systematically examined by specialists in this matter, anthropologists".
Also, the UOJ reported that Rebrova organized regular film screenings at the cathedral.
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.