Dumenko: The Spiritual De-occupation of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Is Ongoing

The head of the OCU, Epiphany Dumenko, stated that the process of spiritual de-occupation of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is ongoing, despite active resistance from representatives of the UOC. He made this statement in an interview with the Apostrophe TV channel.

“This process is complex. The spiritual de-occupation of the Lavra is happening gradually. It was easier to start with the Upper Lavra, which belongs to the national reserve. The process is ongoing. The Reserve and the Ministry of Culture are taking buildings under their control, but representatives of the Moscow Patriarchate are still present there. They resist and are supported, including financially, by pro-Russian forces,” Epiphany emphasized.

At the same time, the head of the OCU expressed confidence that, in time, the entire Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra will come under the control of the “true Ukrainian Church.”

Earlier, it was reported that the head of the American Archdiocese of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Archbishop Elpidophoros, criticized Epiphany Dumenko for violating certain provisions of the Tomos on OCU autocephaly. Elpidophoros noted that the head of the OCU turns a blind eye to the fact that representatives of the organization are opening parishes abroad, despite the Tomos explicitly forbidding it.