Authorities once again allow Dumenko into Near Caves of Kyiv Lavra
Dumenko in the Near Caves of the Lavra. Photo: OCU
On December 19, 2025, Epifaniy Dumenko was once again allowed into the Near Caves of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. According to the OCU website, he conducted a “divine service” in the underground church dedicated to the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple.
Along with him, the event was attended by the “hierarchs” Antoniy Firlei and Avraamiy Lotysh, a certain monastic brotherhood of the monastery, and invited clerics of the structure.
The event was timed to coincide with the feast day of Venerable Ilya of Murom (according to the new calendar).
As the UOJ previously reported, on November 19, the administration of the Lavra Reserve allowed Epifaniy Dumenko and his associates into the Near Caves of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, where he also conducted a “service.”
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