Serhiy Dumenko admitted to Lavra's Far Caves
Dumenko with colleagues in the Far Caves. Photo: OCU
On July 23, 2025, the authorities allowed Serhiy Dumenko, head of the OCU, into the Far Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, according to the OCU website.
Accompanied by acting director of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve Svitlana Kotliarevska and other reserve staff, Epiphanius and his associates held a “prayer service” in the cave church of St. Theodosius of the Caves.
During the event, Serhiy Petrovych expressed hope that “through the joint efforts” of the state and the OCU, “all issues will be resolved, and the faithful will soon be able to pray here.”
He also demanded the complete expulsion of the UOC from the Lavra.
Following the “prayer service,” reserve staff gave Dumenko a tour of the caves.
As previously reported by the UOJ, Dumenko had earlier discussed the “cleansing” of the Lavra from the UOC with the new head of the Lavra Reserve.
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