The Synod of the OCU dismissed Avraam Lotysh from his position as “governor of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra” and appointed Epiphany Dumenko to replace him

The Synod of the OCU officially confirmed Epiphany Dumenko’s status as the head of the religious organization “Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (Men’s Monastery) of the OCU” in the capacity of its “sacred archimandrite,” thereby removing Avraam Lotysh, an employee of the “Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra” National Reserve who had received this position in exchange for betraying the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, from the post of abbot of the monastery. This was reported by the OCU’s press service.

According to the decision adopted on July 13, 2026, the OCU’s men’s monastery, located on the grounds of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, is now placed under the direct authority of Epiphanius Dumenko. this measure is aimed at “ensuring special oversight of the activities of the holy site, which is of exceptional importance to the entire Church.”

In addition, during the meeting, the Synod recommended that Dumenko appoint Avraam Lotysh to the position of dean of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

As a reminder, we previously reported that an employee of the “Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra” National Reserve and, concurrently, , the abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Monastery of the OCU, Avraam Lotysh, had officially expressed support for the government’s initiative to build a National Pantheon on the grounds of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, calling this decision a “landmark event” for Ukraine.