First OCU service took place in the caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

The Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Metropolitan Epiphanius, performed a prayer for the first time in the Far Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, the OCU reported on Wednesday, writes UNN.

Details

"Metropolitan Epiphanius on July 23, 2025, performed a prayer for the first time in the church in honor of St. Theodosius of Pechersk in the Far Caves," the OCU reported.

Metropolitan Epiphanius, as stated, "offered a special prayer to the Lord for our Homeland, which is experiencing a time of difficult trials and danger." "Prayer requests were also offered for the soldiers who defend Ukraine from Russian aggression, for the authorities and the Ukrainian people," the report says.

Epiphanius, as reported, noted that "this prayer also became a historical event, because the Ukrainian Church is returning to where our venerable fathers shone and from where Ukrainian monastic life began."

The Primate emphasized that the caves are a special spiritual place for all believers, so prayer should continue here, especially for our warrior-defenders, so that the Lord protects them and gives them strength to resist evil.

In addition, His Beatitude expressed hope that with the joint efforts of the state and the Church, all issues will be resolved, and believers will soon be able to pray here, and the Lavra will finally be freed from the "Russian world."

After the moleben, the Primate bowed before the holy relics of the venerable fathers of Pechersk, who rest in the Far Caves of the Lavra.

UOC-MP given until August to sever ties with Russia18.07.25, 00:32 • 4348 views