Will Jerusalem recognize the OCU?

Patriarch Theophilus and Patriarch Bartholomew. A photo: orthodoxtimes.com

Patriarch Theophilus and Patriarch Bartholomew. A photo: orthodoxtimes.com

As we remember, the diptychs of the Phanar contain the name of the head of the OCU Epiphany Dumenko. Therefore, it is most likely that the arrival of Patriarch Bartholomew to Jerusalem will force the Primate of the Jerusalem Church to raise the issue of commemorating Sergei (Epiphany) Dumenko during the service. Indeed, if Dumenko is named together with all the other Primates of the Local Churches, then de facto this can be regarded as a recognition on the part of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.

Therefore, the question arises: what are the possible scenarios in the event of Bartholomew's arrival in Jerusalem?

There are, by and large, only two of them:

1. The heads of the Churches of Jerusalem and Istanbul will agree that the name of Dumenko in Jerusalem will not be spoken out for the ecclesiastical world.

2. Patriarch Theophilos will not celebrate a joint Liturgy with Patriarch Bartholomew, sending one of his representatives to serve.

But these scenarios can hardly be called a way out.

One thing is certain. The Phanar's actions to legalize the Ukrainian schism, in fact, split Orthodoxy and made each joint liturgy of hierarchs perceived through the prism of politics. Now both the memory of a saint and prayer are just a background. The whole world will listen hard to whether Epiphany Dumenko’s name will be read in Jerusalem.

Read also

Shaping “future of monasticism in Ukraine” while expelling monks. Seriously?

According to official data for 2021 (which has not been published since), the entire Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) has 233 monks. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) has about 4,700.

Atrocities of neo-communists in the Lavra

These actions are a litmus test to reveal how Orthodox Christians worldwide will react to this sacrilege.

On the OCU’s “informing” against Metropolitan Theodosiy

Let’s pause to reflect: Christians are reporting a fellow bishop to the authorities in an attempt to get him “shut down” – simply because he can celebrate divine services!

Illness or demonic possession?

The MP effectively labeled UOC parishioners abroad as spies because their husbands serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the women "may possess sensitive information relevant to national security."

On the criticism of peace negotiations by Uniates

Shevchuk claims to communicate with God and believes the Saviour "has a plan to save Ukraine".

About the fallen cross in the Lavra

The cross didn’t fall because a tornado swept through Kyiv – no, the weather was perfectly calm and quiet. Simply put, in the words of Klitschko, the cross "got tired."