Metropolitan Epiphanius

Metropolitan Epiphanius is the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). He was enthroned in 2018 following the OCU's establishment and recognition by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, a move that significantly altered the religious landscape in Ukraine, separating it from Moscow's influence. Recently, the OCU has been in the news due to significant Russian attacks on Ukraine. Specifically, the historic Dormition Cathedral within the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, a major religious site under the OCU's jurisdiction, was damaged and caught fire during a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv in the early hours of Monday. This event underscores the ongoing conflict's impact on Ukraine's cultural and religious heritage, with Metropolitan Epiphanius representing the spiritual leadership of a nation facing external aggression. His current relevance lies in his position as a key figure in Ukrainian religious identity and national resilience amidst the war.