Head of OCU discusses reforms of the Military Chaplaincy Service with its head

Head of the OCU Epifaniy Dumenko met with the head of the Military Chaplaincy Service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel Oleksandr Vovkotecha. During the dialogue, the parties discussed key aspects of reforming the service in times of war, the training of chaplains and rehabilitation programs for veterans.

The meeting took place on October 23, 2025, at Dumenko’s residence in Kyiv. According to the press service of the OCU, the event was also attended by the head of the Synodal Department of Military Clergy Ivan Yaremenko and his deputy Leontiy Nikitenko.

The main focus was on cooperation and reforms aimed at improving the functioning of the Military Chaplaincy Service. The participants discussed the training of chaplains, cooperation with theological educational institutions of the OCU, as well as the importance of highlighting the role and mission of chaplains in the training of cadets and officers.

Colonel Oleksandr Vovkotecha conveyed assurances of full support for the development of the service from the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, and confirmed his readiness for further cooperation. Separately, the parties considered the possibility of organizing the rehabilitation of Ukrainian veterans on Mount Athos and other topical issues of mutual interest.

As a reminder, on July 5, 2025, a church in honor of Prince Volodymyr the Equal-to-the-Apostles was “consecrated” on the territory of the Volyn Regional Territorial Recruitment Center of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The religious events were performed by the odious head of the Volyn Diocese of the OCU, Mikhail Zinkevich. Together with Zinkevich, employees of the CCC and chaplains of the OCU “prayed” in the church.