Dumenko: Thanks to Zelensky, the Lavra is being freed from the shackles of the "Russian world"
The head of the OCU at the celebrations marking the 975th anniversary of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra thanked the Ukrainian authorities and declared that the monastery is returning "to its true origins."
On August 15, 2026, the head of the OCU Serhiy Dumenko spoke at a solemn event at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra dedicated to the 975th anniversary of the monastery.
Addressing Volodymyr Zelensky, who was present at the celebration, along with representatives of the government and the Verkhovna Rada, as well as foreign guests, the head of the OCU stated that "for centuries" enemies had tried to eradicate the authentic Pechersk tradition, "replacing it with the fakes of the Russian world."
According to him, the "Russian empire of evil" had long been instilling "slavish submission to the conqueror" in the Lavra through institutions dependent on it, "primarily 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 being freed from the shackles of the Russian world and is returning to its roots," Epifaniy assured.
Dumenko did not specify exactly what he sees today as the Lavra's "return to its roots."
The head of the OCU also thanked Zelensky for the fact that "our glorious Ukrainian hetman has returned to our Ukrainian Lavra" — referring to Ivan Mazepa. These words were met with applause from those present.
Listing the ascetics associated with the monastery — the Venerable Anthony, Nestor, Alypius, Agapitus, as well as Saint Peter Mohyla — Epifaniy declared that "the Lavra serves as a vivid testament to the depth of spiritual roots that our Ukrainian identity has reached."
The head of the OCU concluded his address with the exclamations "Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!"
As the UOJ reported, the Song and Dance Ensemble of the Armed Forces of Ukraine took part in the OCU's Dormition "service" at the Lavra.
