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
Seized Dormition Cathedral in Volodymyr transferred from UOC to OCU control
Huz stated that after being handed to the OCU, the Dormition Cathedral in Volodymyr will be “Ukrainian and alive”.
388 mln Christians face persecution and discrimination over faith – report
The organization Portes Ouvertes has published research findings concluding that pressure on believers worldwide has intensified.
Archbishop of Albania: Orthodoxy is a key pillar of Albania’s European path
During a visit to Brussels, the Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church underscored the importance of Orthodoxy for the country’s integration into the EU and for maintaining interreligious balance in society.
His Beatitude leads divine service at Lavra on Circumcision of the Lord feast
During the festive service at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, special prayers were offered for peace on the Ukrainian land and for God’s blessing upon the new year.
Director of Orthodox school writes open letter to "investigator"
Anna Bolhova emphasized that God turns slander and lies directed against Christians into their victory.
In Austria, court recognizes Sharia norms in dispute between Muslims
The Vienna court's decision on the forced enforcement of religious arbitration has provoked a reaction from authorities and demands to legislatively exclude the application of Islamic norms.