Dumenko presents award to Lavra reserve director on his 55th birthday

Dumenko presented Maksym Ostapenko with an order. Photo: OCU

Epifaniy Dumenko awarded the Director of the National Reserve "Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra" Maksym Ostapenko the Order of Archangel Michael, 1st Class, reports the OCU press service.

The meeting took place on August 5, 2026, at the residence of the OCU head on the territory of St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery. The award was presented to the official on the occasion of his 55th birthday.

On this topic Dumenko calls UOC’s continued existence a challenge to church life in Ukraine

During the meeting, the two also discussed the development of the monastery and the creation of the necessary conditions for the Lavra’s “spiritual life.” Dumenko and Ostapenko also addressed events intended to highlight damage to Ukraine’s holy sites and cultural heritage.

Also participating in the event were representatives of Dumenko's structure: Makariy Papysh, the "warden" of the Far Caves, and Yevfymii Fursenko, the "dean" of the Upper Lavra churches.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Dumenko assigned positions among the Lavra "brethren".

Read also

Orthodox and Catholic bishops make joint visit to Mount Athos

The head of the Phanar blessed a joint pilgrimage to Mount Athos by Roman Catholic and Orthodox bishops.

UOC Kryvyi Rih Eparchy marks 30th anniversary

Metropolitan Yefrem led the anniversary Divine Liturgy in Kryvyi Rih.

Ostapenko: Everyone in UCCRO feels fine except the “FSB UOC”

The director of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve called the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches “a wonderful organization.”

Khmelnytskyi Eparchy donates funds for treatment of 12-year-old girl

UOC believers raised UAH 20,000 for Anastasiia Mamchur as part of an eparchial charity campaign.

Shevchuk: We had to convince world UOC ban does not violate religious freedom

The UGCC head claims that by banning the UOC, the state is not violating religious freedom but merely protecting the Church’s faithful from Moscow propaganda.

Lavra reserve head estimates damage to Dormition Cathedral at €15 million

Maksym Ostapenko said restoring the Dormition Cathedral would take at least a couple of years and require major funding.