Unexpectedly: Dumenko calls OCU largest religious organization in Ukraine

Epiphany Dumenko with the “hierarchs” of the OCU in the half-empty temple of Drabinko. Photo: pomisna.info

On December 15, 2020, the head of the OCU, Epiphany Dumenko, during a speech at the “Bishops' Council”, said that his structure is the largest religious organization in Ukraine.

According to Epiphany, the OCU "by all indicators continues to be one of the largest Local Orthodox Churches and also remains the largest in number and support (highlighted by UOJ - Ed.) religious organization in Ukraine".

Dumenko said that in all regions of the country, except for the East, the number of supporters of the OCU "significantly exceeds the number of supporters of the Moscow Patriarchate – even where the current parishes of the OCU are in the minority".

Dumenko also stated that at the moment the OCU consists of "44 eparchies, more than 7000 parishes, 77 monasteries, 10 higher theological educational institutions, which teach 1101 students, more than 4.5 thousand clergy, and 62 bishops."

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that according to the report of the UOC Chancellor, Metropolitan Anthony of Brovary, in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in 2020 there were 12,374 parishes, 12,456 clerics, 255 monasteries, 4,548 monks, 109 bishops, and 1,531 students of religious institutions.

Let us remind you that on October 11 Epiphany and 11 “hierarchs” of the OCU “served” in Drabinko's half-empty Cathedral.

"Hierarchs" of the OCU at the "divine service" at the Transfiguration Cathedral. Photo: Alexander Drabinko's Facebook page

On October 19, the spokesperson for the OCU Eustratiy Zoria posted on his Facebook photos from the Sunday service at the Catherine Cathedral, which shows that there were up to 10 parishioners in the temple.

Read also

Bill banning LGBT and childfree propaganda adopted in Belarus

A bill in the Belarusian parliament provides for administrative liability for propaganda of homosexuality and childlessness. 

In women's monastery of Holovchyntsi village, monastic tonsure performed

In the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy, two nuns were tonsured into the lesser schema.

Finnish MP urges EU to repeal law banning criticism of LGBT

Päivi Räsänen stated that the "hate speech" law in Europe serves as a means for censorship.

Displaced children from Dnipro baptized at orphanage in Mukachevo

A priest of the Mukachevo Eparchy of the UOC performed the baptism of children from the "Barvinok" orphanage.

During Holy Week, Catholics celebrate Mass at Holy Sepulchre without believers

The RCC bishop, who was previously barred by police from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, was nevertheless allowed to conduct a service there on Thursday.

UGCC calls murder of TRC employee "particularly grave sin"

UGCC cleric Yustin Boyko emphasized that hatred against TRC employees is being artificially incited on social media.