Dumenko: Bartholomew is the First among Orthodox hierarchs

Dumenko and Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: "Zbruch"

Serhiy (Epifaniy) Dumenko congratulated the head of the Phanar on his birthday on Facebook. He stated that in the OCU, they know and respect Patriarch Bartholomew "as the First among Orthodox hierarchs, as the Primate of the Apostolic See of the Great Church of Christ."

Dumenko assured that "thanks to his parental care and sacrifice", the Church in Ukraine "has turned the page on divisions".

He also thanked the head of the Phanar "for the material assistance" to those affected by the war and claimed that he allegedly "makes incredible efforts... to develop fraternal relations between the Churches."

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that Dumenko called the words of Christ a proverb.

Read also

DESS: The number of communities joining OCU in 2024 is half of last year’s

Over a year, 232 communities of the UOC changed their jurisdiction.

Scale of internal damage to UOC cathedral in Zaporizhzhia shown online

The video allows viewers to assess the damage endured by the main Orthodox church of the UOC in Zaporizhzhia.

Ex-MP UOC protodeacon Novinsky declared suspicion of high treason

The former MP is accused of "ensuring that a significant part of Ukrainian society, who are believers of the UOC, remain under the direct influence of the leader of the ROC".

St Andrew’s icon survives under the rubble of UOC cathedral in Zaporizhzhia

The icon was painted by nuns of the St Nicholas Monastery in Patras (Greece) and consecrated on the relics of St Andrew the Apostle.

RF missile strike destroys St Andrew's Cathedral of UOC in Zaporizhzhia

The fragments damaged the roof of the building, dome, ceilings, cut windows and disfigured classrooms.

Media shows conditions in which persecuted communities of Volyn have to pray

After their churches were seized, UOC faithful are compelled to pray in poorly equipped facilities.