Ostapenko takes Vatican delegation to Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra's Far Caves
Vatican delegation near the Dormition Cathedral of the Lavra. Photo: Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve / Facebook
The administration of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve organized a visit to the Far Caves for a Vatican delegation led by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See's Secretary for Relations with States. The Reserve announced the visit on its Facebook page.
Gallagher was accompanied by the Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, and Ukraine's Ambassador to the Holy See, Andrii Yurash.
The Reserve's Director, Maksym Ostapenko, guided the delegation through the Far Caves, where the visitors venerated the relics of Hieromartyr Clement, one of the first Bishops of Rome.
"This shrine holds special significance for Christians of different confessions. It reminds us of the common roots of the Christian tradition and today once again brings Churches together around the idea of preserving spiritual heritage and supporting Ukraine," the Reserve said.
Before the visit to the caves, Ostapenko showed the delegation the Dormition Cathedral, which was damaged in the June 15 shelling. The visitors were told that the attack destroyed most of the cathedral's roof and damaged 19 buildings across the Lavra complex.
As the the UOJ previously reported, the Far Caves were earlier opened for a tour for a cardinal of the UGCC.
Read also
Dumenko claims OCU has 11 times more parishioners than UOC
According to Dumenko, the OCU has many times more believers than the UOC.
Zelensky discussed "the activities of the church in Ukraine" with a Vatican delegation
The Vatican confirmed its readiness to organize a meeting of world leaders for the sake of achieving peace in Ukraine.
Dumenko gives number of OCU monasteries in Ukraine but says nothing about monks
The OCU head said his structure has more than 90 monasteries but provided no updated figures on the number of monastics. The last publicly stated total – 233 monks – dates back to 2021.
16 villagers in Malawi embrace Orthodoxy
Members of two indigenous African peoples were baptized after four months of catechism.
Director of Lord of the Rings spinoff explains all-white cast
Andy Serkis has defended his decision not to cast non-white actors in the new film.
Court strips UOC community of 19th-century church in Moiseivka
The Cherkasy authorities have seized the historic Sts. Peter and Paul Church through the courts in the name of “protecting the interests of the state.”