Dumenko explains Mazepa’s role for OCU during lecture at Chernihiv Cathedral

Dumenko speaking from the podium in the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Chernihiv. Photo: OCU press service

On June 9, 2025, Epifaniy Dumenko, together with the administration of the “Ancient Chernihiv” historical reserve, organized a conference titled “Trinity: Vocation, Sophianity, Conciliarity” in the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Chernihiv – the one recently seized from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Speaking from the podium, the OCU head addressed the audience, telling them about the role of Ivan Mazepa in the formation of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

“Today marks a symbolic event – we have held, for the first time, a liturgy in the Ukrainian language here, in this historic Mazepa-founded Holy Trinity Cathedral. For centuries, the man who built and founded it was cursed. But now we are restoring historical truth, reestablishing justice. We are remembering those historical figures who played a crucial role in the development of our autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine,” Dumenko stated.

His speech was accompanied by a video presentation on a screen placed near the solea. In addition to Dumenko, the event featured speeches by Nataliia Rebrova, head of the historical reserve, and OCU cleric H. Kovalenko.

As previously reported by the UOJ, the authorities in Chernihiv had handed the Holy Trinity Cathedral – confiscated from the UOC – over to the OCU.

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