Greece: Clergymen who anathematized OCU do not belong to GOC
Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus. Photo: fanarion.blogspot.com
On March 25, 2021, the Metropolitanate of Piraeus of the Greek Orthodox Church declared that the priests Angelos Angelakopoulos and Matthew Vulcanescu, who anathematized Dumenko and the OCU, do not belong to the Church of Greece. The Metropolitan's response was published by fanarion.blogspot.com.
The metropolitanate claims that Protopresbyter Angelos Angelakopoulos moved from the Piraeus diocese to the Metropolitanate of Kithira, from where he left at the beginning of 2020 and is now a "private person".
Protopresbyter of Romanian origin Matthew Vulcanescu, according to the Metropolitan of Piraeus, went to the Archdiocese of Western Europe of the Russian Orthodox Church under the omophorion of Metropolitan John of Dubna and "announced that he would serve in Great Britain."
Consequently, according to the diocese of Piraeus, both priests do not belong to the Piraeus Metropolitanate of the Greek Church.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that on March 21, 2021, on the Feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy, the cleric of the Greek Church, Protopresbyter Angelos Angelakopoulos, anathematized the OCU and its leader Epiphany Dumenko.
Later it became known that Dumenko and the OCU were also anathematized by Protopresbyter Matthew Vulcanescu.
Both priests used to serve in the Metropolitanate of Piraeus, the head of which, Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus, is one of the most adamant opponents of the recognition of the OCU by the Church of Greece.
Metropolitan Seraphim believes that Epiphany Dumenko is a layman, while the head of the canonical Church in Ukraine is His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry.
Read also
Constantinople hierarch: UOJ engages in propaganda journalism in defense of UOC
Archbishop Elpidophoros accuses the Union of Orthodox Journalists of "Russian propaganda" without providing a single fact.
Phanar’s Archdiocese in U.S. tried to derail meetings held in defense of UOC
A leaked letter from Archbishop Elpidophoros to Patriarch Bartholomew has revealed that while Orthodox Christians were seeking protection for the UOC in Washington, the Phanar was coordinating a campaign to sabotage their meetings with American politicians.
EXCLUSIVE: Abp Elpidophoros’ letter to Pat Bartholomew on defending UOC in US
Archbishop Elpidophoros reports to Patriarch Bartholomew on his efforts to derail actions by Orthodox clergy and faithful in the United States in defense of the UOC.
Zelensky awards chief rabbi "for the defense of the country"
At the celebration of Moshe Asman’s anniversary, representatives of the Presidential Office and the Territorial Defense Forces presented the rabbi with state awards and read out a message from Zelensky.
Gates foundation allocates $1 billion to promote abortion in Africa and Asia
Bill Gates and other private donors will direct funds to organizations seeking to legalize abortion and change laws in countries with traditional values.
Kosovo to enact law restricting Serbian Church, experts say
Analysts warn that the new "Law on Foreigners" in Kosovo could restrict the presence of clergy, believers' access to shrines, and increase pressure on the Serbian community.