Expert on Blinken-OCU meeting: Epiphany is a politician in the eyes of US
Dmitry Dzhangirov. Photo: detector.media
Journalist Dmitry Dzhangirov believes that in the United States, the head of the OCU, Sergei (Epiphany) Dumenko, is perceived as a politician, this being once again proved by his meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
“This is a short-term, symbolic visit, which shows that the OCU is in many ways an American project,” Dzhangirov said in a comment to the UOJ. "This proves once again that Dumenko is a politician or an official for the Americans."
The journalist also stressed that their meeting was symbolic than substantive.
“Of course, it is unethical and illegal for an official of a foreign state to meet with the head of a religious organization, but the meeting hardly discussed any specific things, it’s just ‘symbolic’ ,” he added.
When asked whether this situation would lead to a new wave of seizures of the UOC churches, Dzhangirov said that everything depends on President Vladimir Zelensky.
“The OCU is a small church, considering Filaret’s exit, so their only hope is pinned to administrative resources. There are hardly any odds that Blinken will give a ‘take them’ command during his first visit, although in the future this might be the case,” the expert said.
On May 6, 2021, the US Secretary of State, who is on a two-day official visit to Ukraine, visited the St. Michael Cathedral of the OCU in Kyiv, where he spoke with Epiphany Dumenko.
Read also
Met. Varsonofiy сelebrates Liturgy at persecuted UOC parish in Stryzhavka
A UOC hierarch officiated the Nativity service and offered prayers for peace in Ukraine.
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”.
In Brussels, Cardinal Parolin urges Europe to remember its Christian roots
The Vatican Secretary of State spoke at the Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula on the occasion of its eight-hundredth anniversary and recalled Europe’s spiritual mission.
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.