OCU uses recorded choir track during “service” at Lavra

The OCU uses a recording instead of a choir at the Lower Lavra. Photo: OCU

A controversy erupted online over the OCU’s use of a recording during a “service.” On August 30, 2026, representatives of Dumenko’s structure held a “liturgy” at the Church of the Conception of St. Anna in the Lower Lavra, using a recording instead of a live choir.

A livestream of the event was posted on the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Facebook page. In the video, whenever the choir is supposed to come in, a recording can be heard instead, with acoustics that clearly do not match the size of the church where the service is taking place.

The move drew sharp criticism in the comments.

“Who are we trying to fool? This is edited,” wrote Oleksandr Tarasenko, choir director at the OCU’s Transfiguration Cathedral, where Oleksandr Drabynko serves.

“Well, I’m unpleasantly surprised! You can hear the editing from the very first notes!” Mariia Sydyr replied. A user named Maksym stressed that “this is a livestream – instead of a choir, a tape recorder is singing!” He added: “Shame! Just play recordings instead of having a choir!!”

Some OCU clerics, however, welcomed the innovation. “Priest” Mykola Kapitula wrote that it was “very good!” Tarasenko replied that the “tape recorder” was indeed “singing very well.”

“This is crude editing – a choir track has been overlaid even though there is no choir in the church in the video… A disaster and a terrible precedent!..((((” Tarasenko wrote.

As previously reported by the UOJ, a symphony concert was held at the Lavra with Dumenko’s blessing.

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