OCU: Theotokos icons should tell the world about Ukraine’s struggle for freedom
According to the OCU leader, icons of the Mother of God are intended to present Ukrainian sacred art to the world.
OCU head Epifaniy Dumenko consecrated twelve icons of the Mother of God at St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv for distribution abroad and called on believers to affirm a “Ukrainian world” in place of the “Russian world,” the OCU press service reports.
On August 11, 2026, the OCU head consecrated 12 icons of the Mother of God at St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv as part of the “12 Spiritual Shrines of Ukraine” project. The organizers plan to send the icons to churches, spiritual centers, and monasteries abroad to draw international attention to events in the country.
The presentation was also attended by government officials and other representatives of the authorities, including First Deputy Minister of Culture Ivan Verbytskyi and DESS head Viktor Yelensky. The project by artist Volodymyr Kuziuk is intended to elevate prayer for a just peace and draw attention to the war.
During the ceremony, Dumenko said the icons should tell people abroad about the geopolitical confrontation: “These icons of the Most Holy Mother of God are intended to present Ukrainian sacred art to the world. They will bear witness to the international community about the events in Ukraine and its struggle for freedom.”
The OCU head also called on his flock to express their love for their homeland through diligent work where they live. He urged every Ukrainian to work hard to build a “Ukrainian world” in place of the ideology of the “Russian world.” Dumenko also expressed confidence that, in the historic struggle between good and evil, truth will inevitably prevail.
As the UOJ previously reported, Dumenko told a British audience about the price of Ukraine’s “European choice.”
