The head of the OCU led religious services at the Church of the Annunciation in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, which had been taken away from the UOC

Epiphany Dumenko, head of the OCU, conducted religious services within one of the churches of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, which were recently seized by the “nature reserve” from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. On July 25, 2026, Dumenko gained access for the first time to the Church of the Holy Annunciation, located above the Far Caves of the monastery. This was reported by , the official website of the OCU.

In his address, following religious services held in the church of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra that had been seized from the UOC, the head of the OCU emphasized “the importance of maintaining humility, love, and patience during these difficult times.” According to Dumenko, it is precisely thanks to these virtues that Christians can overcome life’s hardships while maintaining hope for eternal bliss.

As a reminder, on May 12, 2026, , employees of the National Reserve carried out a forcible seizure of the Annunciation Church in the Far Caves of the Lower Lavra, having first cut off the locks. The museum administration’s actions were carried out despite the absence of final court rulings regarding the right to use the monastery’s buildings.