Dumenko: Phanar head lifted burden from us imposed by truth opponents
Patriarch Bartholomew and the head of the OCU Epiphany. Photo: AP / Lefteris Pitarakis
Patriarch Bartholomew comforted the "Church of Ukraine" in sorrow and lifted from it the burden imposed by the opponents of truth. The head of the OCU, Epiphany Dumenko, wrote about this in a letter to the Patriarch of Constantinople on the occasion of the second anniversary of the granting of the Tomos of autocephaly.
“For a long time, the Church of Ukraine suffered because of injustice, because of the violation of the canonical order, and fought to assert the truth,” says the letter published on the OCU website. - ...> And the will of the Lord was that generations before us and we ourselves went this way, " For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted" (Matt. 23:12). We endured – and God rewarded our patience. You, Your Holiness, and Mother Church have warmed us with your love, comforted us in sorrow, lifted from us the burdens that were laid by the opponents of truth."
Emphasizing that “from his humble heart and on behalf of the respected Hierarchy, the sacred clergy and the pious people of the Holy Church of Ukraine” he can only speak of gratitude to God and Patriarch Bartholomew. Dumenko wished the head of Phanar “many years, energetic, healthy, fruitful, in the strength of the soul and courage, and to shame those who commit persecution in all kinds of ways against the Mother ship of the Church of the Constantinople throne."
We recall that Patriarch Bartholomew, who previously recognized the dedication and anathema of Filaret imposed by the Russian Orthodox Church, in 2018 named him the former Metropolitan of Kyiv.
Read also
SBU told Phanar many UOC bishops would join OCU in 2018, report says
According to a Phanar representative’s account, Ukrainian security services told the Constantinople delegation that many UOC representatives were prepared to attend the OCU’s “Unification Council.” In the end, only two did.
Catholic cardinal visits Ukrainian POWs during trip to Russia
During three days of consultations in Moscow, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi discussed prospects for ending the war in Ukraine.
Ukrainians help restore Serbian Orthodox church in Paris
Orthodox Ukrainians have become regular parishioners of St. Sava Church in Paris and have taken part in its restoration.
Bulgarian Church clergy and laity oppose Phanar head’s visit
More than 2,000 clergy and laity have called for the Ecumenical Patriarch’s visit to be canceled, citing disagreement with his actions and concerns that the visit could legitimize schism.
Unknown intruders break down doors at two UOC churches in Sloviansk
Archbishop Paisiy said OCU activists are suspected of breaking into the churches in Sloviansk, and police have launched an investigation.
Sviatohirsk Lavra prays for murdered monk on 40th day after death
The brethren of the Sviatohirsk Lavra held a memorial service for murdered Monk Varsonofiy, calling on the faithful to pray for the newly departed monk.