"Exclusive access": Head of OCU holds religious events in closed Kyiv Cave Monastery

on January 22, 2026, the head of the OCU, Epiphany Dumenko, held religious events in the historical complex of the Near Caves of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, which is still closed to the public. The events took place in the cave church in honor of St. Anthony of the Caves and were timed to coincide with the day of memory of St. Anastasius, the deacon of Kyiv-Pechersk, whose holy relics rest in these caves.

According to the press service of the OCU, some members of the OCU and employees of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve took part in the events along with Epifaniy Dumenko.

It is worth noting that the National Reserve «Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra» (subordinated to the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine — ed.) announced the temporary closure of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra to visitors. The reason for this decision was the «difficult energy situation caused by regular enemy shelling,» which led to a complete lack of electricity, water and heat supply on the territory of the Lavra.