Volodymyr Zelenskyy presided over the Constitution Day celebrations at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy chose the grounds of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra as the venue for the official Constitution Day celebrations. During the event, held on the square in front of the Assumption Cathedral, the head of state delivered a solemn speech in which he emphasized the role of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in defending the nation’s sovereignty.

According to Zelenskyy’s press service, officials and representatives of various religious organizations attended the official ceremony. In his speech, the president stressed the importance of preserving the ability to celebrate national holidays under “battle flags and crosses” on their own soil, after which he presided over an awards ceremony honoring soldiers and public figures.

A group photo of the president with Verkhovna Rada Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk and OCU Head Epiphanius Dumenko, taken against the backdrop of a bust of Ivan Mazepa, drew particular attention. Commenting on the historical context, Ruslan Stefanchuk stated the government’s commitment to countering attempts to distort the history of the Lavra and announced plans to erect a monument to Mazepa in the center of Kyiv.

As a reminder, the administration of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve has called on the public to more actively support the fundraising effort needed to restore the Assumption Cathedral. This historic shrine sustained serious damage as a result of Russian shelling on June 15, 2026, and currently requires significant financial investment to carry out conservation work.