Dumenko brought people to the Lavra to celebrate the feast of the patron saint of the church near the Far Caves
Epifaniy Dumenko led an event on the occasion of the patronal feast of the church located above the Far Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
Epifaniy Dumenko performed a "liturgy" for the first time in the Anna Conception Church of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, marking the patronal feast of the church (according to the new calendar), located above the entrance to the Far Caves. This was reported by the OCU press service.
Dumenko brought with him to the Lavra around 50 "parishioners." By agreement with the nature reserve, they were allowed onto the territory of the Lower Lavra. The Anna Conception Church adjoins the entrance to the Far Caves and until recently was in the use of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
The transfer of the Anna Conception Church is connected with decisions made by the nature reserve, which over recent years has consistently restricted the UOC's presence on the territory of the Lavra. Following this, the authorities opened the Far Caves to the OCU as well, which previously drew criticism from believers and clergy of the canonical Church.
As the UOJ reported, the nature reserve had previously seized the Anna Conception Church in the Lavra from the UOC, and subsequently state structures transferred access to the Far Caves to representatives of the OCU. These steps have become part of the ongoing process of transferring the Lavra's shrines to OCU control with the assistance of secular authorities.
