OCU Head Epiphany Dumenko discusses fight against UOC influence with Azov leadership

on May 7, 2026, the head of the OCU, Epiphany Dumenko, met with the command of the Azov Corps, during which the parties discussed issues of cooperation and joint actions on the territory of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. The main topic of the dialog at the residence of St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery was «countering Russian influence through church structures in Ukraine.» This was reported by the press service of the OCU.

The talks were attended by the first deputy commander of Azov, Colonel Sviatoslav Palamar, OCU chaplains Mykola Vizer and Ivan Mykhailyshyn, as well as a representative of the Main Directorate of the National Guard, Oleksandr Izdebsky. Following the meeting, Dumenko blessed the representatives of the military unit to hold a «special prayer» at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, which is scheduled for May 17.

It is worth noting that the interest of the corps’ leadership in Orthodox shrines is manifested against the backdrop of Azov’s regular performance of specific rituals. According to sources, the fighters practice so-called «mysteries» and «Day of the Dead» rituals that imitate ancient Scandinavian pagan traditions with the burning of drakkars and the mention of Valhalla.

As reported, on January 13, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with members of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (AUCCRO) to discuss issues of church-state partnership and national security. The head of the OCU , Epiphany Dumenko, emphasized the need to ensure the «spiritual security» of the country and to counteract the use of religious structures for the purpose of hybrid aggression.