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.”
Read also
In Britain, Evangelical Alliance urges Christians to preach among Muslims
British evangelicals urged Christians to stop fearing Islam and begin seeing migrants as a “mission field.”
Khmelnytskyi Eparchy delivers 20 tons of aid to hospitals and social institutions
Volunteers distributed a large humanitarian shipment among 16 medical and social institutions in the Khmelnytskyi region.
UGCC head blames Russia for tensions between Poland and Ukraine
Shevchuk claimed that Moscow is financing radical parties across Europe in an effort to undermine solidarity between Warsaw and Kyiv.
Priest to Dumenko: What are your fruits? Tears, fights, and forged documents?
A UOC cleric responded to statements by OCU head Epiphany Dumenko about the “restoration” of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
OCU “hierarchs” in Dnipro hold prayer breakfast with Jews and Catholics
Around 400 participants, including representatives of Dumenko’s structure, held a joint prayer breakfast in Dnipro.
Phanar head discusses shelling of Ukrainian shrines with Greek consul in Kherson
The consul expressed admiration for the Ecumenical Patriarch’s deep knowledge of developments in Ukraine.