Dumenko: It is our duty to establish a National Pantheon of Heroes
Leader of the OCU Epifaniy Dumenko. Photo: OCU
On July 14, 2026, OCU head Epifaniy Dumenko spoke of the need to establish a National Pantheon of Heroes during the “consecration” of a memorial to Hetman Ivan Mazepa at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Interfax-Ukraine reports.
Dumenko claimed that virtually no burial sites of prominent figures from Ukraine’s past have survived.
“Note that there is practically not a single grave of our glorious ancestors. There are no princes, no hetmans – they are either scattered around the world, or their burial places have been destroyed altogether,” the OCU head said.
According to him, one of the state’s tasks should be to return the remains of historical figures buried outside Ukraine and create a place for their reburial. Dumenko also called for the National Pantheon to commemorate present-day servicemen defending Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
As previously reported by the UOJ, Dumenko called for the Lavra to be developed “as a shrine for all Christians.”
Read also
Volodymyr-Volynskyi Eparchy marks 30 years since restoration
The Pantanassa Icon and relics of Prince Volodymyr have arrived in Kovel and will visit churches across the Volodymyr-Volynskyi Eparchy to mark the 30th anniversary of the restoration of the episcopal see.
Bukovyna faithful bring humanitarian aid to Kherson region residents
The UOC’s Chernivtsi Eparchy delivered food to Holy Spirit Cathedral in Kherson.
Ukraine must have its own faith: Poroshenko's party lays out peace terms
Poroshenko’s party European Solidarity described church policy as a matter of national sovereignty and said there can be no compromises in this area.
432 UOC churches damaged in Ukraine during war, report says
According to the Religion on Fire project, 807 religious buildings in Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed as a result of hostilities.
DESS official gives number of clergy exempt from mobilization in Ukraine
A DESS representative said the actual number of clergy exempt from mobilization is significantly lower than the number of religious organizations designated as critical.
Cabinet keeps gas prices unchanged for religious organizations
The Cabinet has fixed gas prices for religious organizations through the end of the 2026–2027 heating season.