OCU “brethren” take national unity dictation in Lavra Refectory Church

National Unity Radio Dictation in the Lavra's Refectory Church. Photo: Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve/Facebook

OCU “monks” and seminarians joined staff of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve in using the monastery's Refectory Church to take part in the All-Ukrainian National Unity Radio Dictation together for the first time.

The event took place inside the church on October 27 – the day the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) commemorates St. Nestor the Chronicler under the new calendar.

Several rows of school desks were set up in the cathedral's refectory hall for the occasion. Reserve Director General Maksym Ostapenko, OCU “monks,” and other reserve employees sat down together to test their knowledge of Ukrainian.

The reserve administration said that holding the dictation within the ancient monastery's walls offered an opportunity to “feel connected through language, history, culture, and the Lavra.”

The Refectory Church of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra has previously been used for various events. Earlier, it was converted into a venue for a presentation of radical groups' combat units. Later, Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska organized a Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen at the church, featuring discussions of “mental health” and a fashion presentation in which models walked through the church displaying new outfits.

As the UOJ previously reported, Epifaniy Dumenko presented awards to reserve employees to mark the anniversary of the Soviet-era reserve.

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