Dumenko presents award to Lavra reserve director on his 55th birthday

Dumenko presented Maksym Ostapenko with an order. Photo: OCU

Epifaniy Dumenko awarded the Director of the National Reserve "Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra" Maksym Ostapenko the Order of Archangel Michael, 1st Class, reports the OCU press service.

The meeting took place on August 5, 2026, at the residence of the OCU head on the territory of St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery. The award was presented to the official on the occasion of his 55th birthday.

On this topic Dumenko calls UOC’s continued existence a challenge to church life in Ukraine

During the meeting, the two also discussed the development of the monastery and the creation of the necessary conditions for the Lavra’s “spiritual life.” Dumenko and Ostapenko also addressed events intended to highlight damage to Ukraine’s holy sites and cultural heritage.

Also participating in the event were representatives of Dumenko's structure: Makariy Papysh, the "warden" of the Far Caves, and Yevfymii Fursenko, the "dean" of the Upper Lavra churches.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Dumenko assigned positions among the Lavra "brethren".

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