Dumenko: In Pochaiv Lavra, it will be the same as in Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

Epifaniy Dumenko believes that only those parishioners who "do not understand" are in the UOC. Photo: screenshot of the YouTube channel "Susipilne Ternopil"

Serhiy Dumenko, in an interview with "Susipilne Ternopil", stated that his structure would serve in the Pochaiv Lavra the same way as in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, and its current parishioners would become parishioners of the OCU.

"This is a gradual and lengthy process, similar to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv. After all, we want this process to proceed calmly and peacefully, without any confrontations. And therefore, time is needed," said Serhiy Petrovich, adding that "more than 2,000 communities joined us in 2 years."

He assured that the process of "transitions" to the OCU is "irreversible", and "ultimately all Orthodox in Ukraine will belong to the recognized autocephalous local Church."

"We see sociology that testifies that the absolute majority of Orthodox in Ukraine supports exactly a single recognized Church," Dumenko reminded.

In his opinion, only those parishioners who "do not understand" are currently in the UOC. 

When asked by the host about the parishioners of the Pochaiv Lavra who do not plan to go there if the monastery is seized by the OCU, Dumenko replied that they would go there.

He stated that during "transitions" to the OCU, some part of the parishioners leaves the church but then returns. And according to him, this will also be the case in Pochaiv.

Dumenko also stated that he disagrees with joint ownership of Pochaiv with the Greek Catholics (Uniates), but he doesn't mind if they occasionally serve there.

"We claim the Pochaiv Lavra; we have already created a legal entity there. And we will do everything to make this shrine of the Ukrainian people be in the Ukrainian Church. And all Ukrainians will be able to pray together there," said Serhiy Petrovich.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Dumenko held a "service" in the St. Nicholas Cathedral of Kremenets, seized from the UOC.

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