On September 12, 2025, Metropolitan Epifaniy, Archimandrite of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, for thefirst time offered prayers in the underground Church of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple, located in the Near Caves.
Joining His Beatitude during the prayer service for the invocation of the Holy Spirit’s help before the beginning of every good deed were Archbishop Agapit of Vyshhorod, Bishop Avraamiy of Boryspil, abbot of the Lavra, the brotherhood of the monastery, invited clergy, and representatives of the National Reserve “Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra” headed by Svitlana Kotliarevska.
During the service, the Primate of the autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine raised a special prayer to the Lord for the homeland, which is enduring times of great trials and danger. Prayers were also offered for the soldiers defending Ukraine against Russian aggression, for the authorities, and for the entire Ukrainian people.
At the conclusion of the service, His Beatitude delivered a primatial address to those present:
“Recently, we held a prayer service in the Far Caves, where necessary works for the preservation of this great Ukrainian shrine were successfully completed.
Today, we have offered a prayer in the Near Caves, at the beginning of another good endeavor, that such work here may also be crowned with success.
We believe in this and ask for God’s blessing and the intercession of our venerable fathers of the Kyiv Caves and all the saints of the land of Ukraine—our compatriots who once labored, struggled, and strove here so that the light of the Orthodox faith might always shine.
We also ask for the help of the Most Holy Theotokos, for the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, like Mount Athos, is Her special domain.
May this shrine always be preserved, and may prayer continually ascend from here—prayer for Ukraine, for our brave soldier-defenders, for the entire Ukrainian people who now suffer from Russian aggression, for the victory of truth, and for the long-awaited just peace,” said Metropolitan Epiphaniy.
After the service, the Primate venerated the holy relics of the venerable fathers of the Caves, resting in the Near Caves of the Lavra.
Source: pomisna
