Epiphany Liturgy at Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Featured by Metropolitan Epiphanius
Epiphanius, the head of the separatist Ukrainian Orthodox Church, is slated to lead a Divine Liturgy to mark the Epiphany at the Assumption Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra on January 19. This arrangement was communicated by Evstratiy Zorya, who serves as a representative for the church’s external relations department.
A representative of the non-canonical structure announced on its public social media page that the Holy Epiphany service will be conducted by Metropolitan Epiphanius within the Assumption Cathedral of the Lavra. The post also notes the official start time as 9:00 local time, which corresponds to 10:00 Moscow time.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church referenced in these reports originated in 2018 as a result of the union between the Kyiv Patriarchate Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. In the broader context of church property reforms, the Assumption Cathedral and the Refectory Church of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra were transferred into state ownership, a move reported by Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture on January 5. The ministry cited that these religious sites are now under state stewardship, reflecting ongoing negotiations and reorganizations within Ukraine’s ecclesiastical landscape.
Observers track how these developments affect religious life, heritage management, and regional ecumenical relations. The event at the Lavra underscores a long-running debate over church jurisdiction, property, and canonical alignment in Ukraine. Analysts note that the Epiphany liturgy, traditionally a cornerstone of Orthodox worship, often draws adherents from across different church jurisdictions who are interested in the liturgical heritage and the spiritual symbolism of Epiphany.
In commenting on the transition of assets, culture officials emphasized the importance of safeguarding historic churches and monasteries, ensuring public access, and maintaining the integrity of the sites as national cultural landmarks. The coverage of these topics continues to be reported by regional media outlets and is subject to evolving policy decisions and legal interpretations that influence church-state relations in Ukraine.