Dumenko performs first "liturgy" in Lavra's Far Caves
Serhiy Dumenko (left) in the Far Caves of the Lavra. Photo: OCU
On August 28, 2025, the head of the OCU, Serhiy Dumenko, performed the first "liturgy" in the Far Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, reports the OCU website.
As the press service writes, the religious event "became possible after a series of measures aimed at preserving the reliquaries with holy relics and the recent restoration of the caves."
The report did not specify what the OCU means by "measures aimed at preserving the reliquaries with holy relics", but it can be assumed that Dumenko refers to the museum staff's manipulations regarding the "reclothing" of the Venerable Fathers' relics, photos of which have surfaced online.
The event was attended by the acting head of the Reserve, Svitlana Kotliarevska.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that in the Lavra, reserve staff tampered with the holy relics of the Venerable Fathers.
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