OCU marks 975th anniversary of Lavra's foundation with Athos monks
Abbot of New Esphigmenou Archimandrite Bartholomew and Epifaniy Dumenko. Photo: a screenshot from the OCU livestream
In Kyiv, the OCU held celebrations marking the 975th anniversary of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra's foundation, with the participation of monks from New Esphigmenou, reports the National Reserve on Facebook.
The festive events took place on July 9 and 10, 2026, and were dedicated to the commemoration of St. Anthony of the Caves. The Divine Liturgy was led by Archimandrite Bartholomew, abbot of New Esphigmenou.
The choir, led by Archon Protopsaltis of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Gregory Daravanoglou, performed hymns in the Byzantine tradition. The celebrations were attended by DESS officials, government representatives, and military chaplains.
The National Reserve noted that "the participation of the Athonite brotherhood in the jubilee celebrations underscored the spiritual connection between Kyiv and Athos."
As the UOJ reported, the OCU arranged a visit of monks from Athos’ New Esphigmenou to the Lavra.
Read also
Medieval сhurch сrumbles as Culture Ministry сites missing agreement
The 14th–15th-century St. Nicholas Church in Chesnyky, Ivano-Frankivsk Region, is falling into disrepair.
Poland сondemns Lviv Regional Council's decision to declare 2007 year of UPA
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk says the Lviv Regional Council's decision to dedicate 2027 to the UPA and Roman Shukhevych is harmful to Ukraine.
OCU seeks court recognition of ownership of seized Cherkasy cathedral
The Cherkasy Regional Commercial Court will hear an OCU lawsuit seeking ownership of St. Michael's Cathedral, which was seized from UOC believers.
Lithuanian bishop: Ukraine is no model for believers' rights
Vicar of Vilnius Diocese voices concern over attempts to import Ukraine's religious conflict into Lithuania.
Hundreds of believers honor St. Alexis of Carpatho-Russia in Khust Eparchy
At the St. Nicholas Monastery in the village of Iza-Karputlash, Metropolitan Mark of Khust led a festive liturgy, concelebrated by six metropolitans, five archbishops and three bishops.
Court upholds UOC parish appeal in Voloshky over OCU switch dispute
The Northern Commercial Court of Appeal has upheld the appeal of the St. Nicholas parish of the UOC in the village of Voloshky, Volyn region, in a dispute over a transfer to the OCU.