Dumenko: Zelensky helps free Lavra from “Russian world” shackles

Dumenko and Zelensky at the Lavra. Photo: OCU

On August 15, 2026, OCU head Serhiy Dumenko spoke at a ceremonial event at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra marking the monastery’s 975th anniversary.

Addressing Volodymyr Zelensky, representatives of the government and the Verkhovna Rada, as well as foreign guests attending the event, the OCU head said that “for centuries” enemies had tried to eradicate the authentic tradition of the Caves, “replacing it with counterfeits of the ‘Russian world.’”

According to him, the “Russian empire of evil” had long imposed “slavish submission to the conqueror” at the Lavra through institutions dependent on it, “above all ecclesiastical ones.”

“But now, thanks to the joint efforts of the Ukrainian state – the president, the government, the Verkhovna Rada – and the Ukrainian Church, the Lavra is breaking free from the shackles of the ‘Russian world’ and returning to its roots,” Epifaniy said.

Dumenko did not specify what exactly he sees today as the Lavra’s “return to its roots.”

The OCU head also thanked Zelensky for the fact that “our glorious Ukrainian hetman has returned to our Ukrainian Lavra” – a reference to Ivan Mazepa. Those present greeted the words with applause.

Listing ascetics associated with the monastery – Sts Anthony, Nestor, Alypius, and Agapit, as well as St Peter Mohyla – Epifaniy said that “the Lavra serves as vivid testimony to the depth of the spiritual roots of our Ukrainian identity.”

The OCU head concluded his address with the slogans “Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!”

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Ukrainian Armed Forces Song and Dance Ensemble took part in the OCU’s Dormition “service” at the Lavra.

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