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
Ukraine now allows matronymics alongside patronymics
Ukrainian legislation has allowed people to change their patronymic since 2021, including replacing the father's name with the mother's name.
Kharkiv's gay community announces LGBT march
At the pride march in Kharkiv, participants will demand the legalization of same-sex marriages in Ukraine.
Ukrainians criticize official who called pilgrimage to Pochaiv "horrifying"
Threads users did not support the head of the "Ancient Kyiv" Reserve, Roman Malenkov, who called the UOC pilgrimage "a horrifying horror."
Metropolitan Alexiy of Voznesensk consecrates chapel in Velyka Solona
The ruling bishop of the Voznesensk Eparchy performed the consecration of the Chapel of the Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope, Love, and their mother Sophia.
UOC draws 7 times more worshippers than OCU in Kerstentsi on Transfiguration
More than 300 faithful attended the UOC parish’s patronal feast in Kerstentsi.
Sybiha invites Putin to take Dmitry Donskoy’s place in sarcophagus
Ukraine’s foreign minister commented on reports that part of the relics of Holy Prince Dmitry Donskoy could be sent to Russian troops.