A hierarch of the Georgian Orthodox Church expressed support for the head of the OCU following the attack on the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

Archbishop Zeno of Dmanisi and Agarak-Tashir of the Georgian Orthodox Church sent a letter of support to Epiphanius Dumenko, head of the OCU, following reports of a fire at the Assumption Cathedral of the Kyiv, which occurred as a result of Russian forces shelling Kyiv. In his message, he emphasized the significance of the Lavra as a holy site not only for Ukraine but for the entire Orthodox world.

Archbishop Zenon published the letter of support and solidarity, addressed to the head of the Ukrainian schism, on his Facebook page. The statement was prompted by the damage to the Cathedral of the Dormition at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra caused by Russian missile and drone strikes on Kyiv on June 15.

In his message, the Georgian hierarch noted that the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is not only a spiritual treasure of the Ukrainian people but also one of the most important centers of historical heritage, monastic tradition, and spiritual life for the entire Orthodox Christian world. According to him, an attack on such a holy site causes deep pain to all who revere church shrines, historical memory, and centuries-old spiritual heritage.

The letter emphasizes the conviction that no damage inflicted on holy sites can shake the spiritual strength that has united and sustained the Ukrainian people for centuries. The archbishop noted that faith, hope, and love will always be stronger than violence, destruction, and hatred.

In closing his message, Archbishop Zenon wished God’s protection and blessing upon the head of the OCU and the entire Ukrainian people.

As a reminder, earlier, Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III of All Georgia, shortly before his election to the Patriarchal throne, officially expressed his support for the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), Metropolitan Onufriy, confirming the Georgian Church’s commitment to canonical unity with the UOC. This statement served as an important signal regarding the preservation of the Georgian Patriarchate’s foreign policy course following the change in leadership.