Dumenko discusses "cleansing" Lavra of UOC with new Reserve Director
Epifaniy Dumenko and Acting Director of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve Svitlana Kotliarevska. Photo: RISU
On May 27, 2025, Epifaniy Dumenko met with Svitlana Kotliarevska, newly appointed acting director of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve, according to the press service of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU).
The two discussed “dialogue” between the OCU and the Reserve “to ensure the full operation and development of the monastery of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine within the Lavra’s walls.”
Additionally, Dumenko demanded that the Lavra’s caves be opened for the OCU and called for an end to “the groundless presence of representatives of the Moscow Patriarchate’s jurisdiction in the Reserve’s buildings.”
Dumenko and Kotliarevska agreed to “cooperate more closely” in order to “cleanse our outstanding Ukrainian shrine of the harmful influence of the so-called ‘Russian World’ ideology, which contradicts both spiritual values and the national interests of Ukraine.”
Dumenko expressed his confidence that the new leadership of the Reserve “will act more vigorously, within the framework of current legislation, to fully rid the Lavra of the influence of Moscow Patriarchate structures.”
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Ministry of Culture had criticized the previous administration of the Lavra Reserve.
Read also
Greece signs memorandum on protection of Jerusalem Patriarchate's shrines
Next week, the Greek Parliament will ratify a document on the protection of the cultural heritage of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.
Greek bishop calls imposition of same-sex marriage a threat
Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythera urged families to become a “domestic church” amid threats to the Christian family in Greek laws and school curricula.
Patriarch Bartholomew arrives in Budapest for opening of Orthodox center
The Ecumenical Patriarch has arrived in Hungary, where he will preside over the consecration of the Orthodox center "Phanarion."
OCU raiders stage attack on seized church in Kyiv, media
OCU "hierarch" Serhiy Horobtsov published a provocative post online regarding St. John's Church in Bykivnia seized by his people.