While Reserve cuts locks on churches, Dumenko "serves" in Lavra's Far Caves
Dumenko in the Far Caves of the Lavra. Photo: OCU
On February 17, 2026, while employees of the National Reserve were conducting work to open the churches of the Lower Lavra, the head of the OCU Epifaniy Dumenko performed a "liturgy" in the underground Church of the Nativity of Christ in the Far Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. This was reported on the structure's website.
The "service," as stated, was timed to coincide with the day of remembrance of Saint Theodore the Silent, whose relics rest in these Caves.
According to the published information, Epifaniy was concelebrated by "Archbishop" Volodymyr of Zhytomyr and Polissya, "abbot" bishop Avramiy, the monastery brotherhood, and invited clergy.
As the UOJ wrote, on the same day Reserve employees cut locks on two churches of the Lower Lavra. This concerns the Exaltation of the Cross and Warm Churches, to which the monastery brotherhood previously maintained access.
As a result of the actions taken, the monks' access to the shrines was effectively blocked.
Read also
Pilgrim group from Kyiv Theological Seminary visits Mount Athos
KTS students are making a pilgrimage to the holy sites of Romania, Greece, Mount Athos and Italy.
UOC cathedral celebrates its patronal feast in Ternopil
The service in the cathedral of the Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia was led by Metropolitan Serhii of Ternopil, concelebrated by four hierarchs.
MinCulture marks centenary of Soviet-era reserve at Lavra's Refectory Church
Representatives of the Ministry of Culture presented awards to the Reserve's employees on the occasion of the anniversary at the Refectory Church of the Lavra.
Conference to mark 1700th anniversary of Christianity adoption held in Georgia
In Georgia, representatives of the Church and the state noted the defining role of Christianity in the country's cultural development.
MP urges to ease pressure on UOC for sake of peace
Oleksii Honcharenko proposed compromises on language, historical memory, and Church issues as part of efforts to achieve peace, saying those who wish to attend the “Russian Church” should be allowed to do so.
Court takes 17th-century church in Staryi Pochaiv from UOC community
A commercial court overturned a 2018 registrar’s decision and stripped the UOC’s Ternopil Eparchy of ownership of the 17th-century church.