OCU Introduces New Rector of KOTA

The Kyiv Orthodox Theological Academy has a new leader. On May 19, 2025, the head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Epiphaniy Dumenko, introduced Yaroslav Romanchuk to the academy’s students and faculty as the newly appointed rector. This was reported by the official website of the OCU.

Dumenko was accompanied by Agapit Humeniuk, abbot of the St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery.

In his address, Epiphaniy expressed gratitude to the former rector, Oleksandr Trofymlyuk, who had led the institution for many years. The newly appointed rector received an official decree of appointment and a personalized cross from the OCU Primate.

Earlier, it was reported that on May 16, 2025, the OCU convened an “emergency Synod” to remove Oleksandr Trofymlyuk from his position as rector of the Kyiv Orthodox Theological Academy. The former rector had served in this capacity since 2019. The reasons for his dismissal were not disclosed.