Epifaniy: No one was outraged by OCU at the funeral of Bulgarian Patriarch
OCU delegation at the funeral of the Bulgarian patriarch. Photo: screenshot from Channel 24
The head of the OCU, Epifaniy Dumenko, stated that the process of recognition of his structure by Local Churches is coming along, according to Radio Liberty.
"The majority of the Bulgarian population now supports Ukraine. Although before the full-scale invasion, there was no such majority there. And my presence at the funeral of the Bulgarian Patriarch Neophyte indicates that gradually, we are gaining recognition from other Local Orthodox Churches. Because delegations from practically all Local Churches were present there. And no one expressed outrage either afterwards or during the service," he explained.
According to Dumenko, after Ukraine's victory in the war with Russia, the Local Churches will recognize the OCU.
As reported by the UOJ, members of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church did express concern about this, as the Bulgarian Orthodox Church had not recognized Dumenko's structure. Therefore, the presence of the OCU delegation at the funeral caused controversy. Metropolitan Ioann of Varna and Veliki Preslav stated that Epifaniy Dumenko's arrival might unsettle some people, as his status had not yet been determined.
At the moment when Dumenko, standing on the solea, attempted to enter the altar, cries could be heard in the church addressed to the OCU delegation: "Sergei Dumenko, depart! Schismatics and heretics, depart!"
Read also
In Nigeria, 130 hostages abducted from Catholic school released
The country's authorities reported the release of the last hostages – victims of the attack on the Catholic school.
Zelensky wishes death to Putin in his Christmas message
The presidential address included the phrase "May he parish", said in the context of a Christmas wish.
Hungarian authorities to fund restoration of Serbian Church monastery
The Government of Hungary has allocated funds for the reconstruction of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos Monastery of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Zelensky: All Ukrainians celebrate Christmas on the same date
Volodymyr Zelensky recorded a new video with Christmas greetings.
Instead of Christmas: Zelensky declares January 7 Programmer’s Day
Zelensky decided that January 7 is the most appropriate date for introducing a new holiday.
OCU equates UOC’s losses from “transfers” with losses caused by occupation
In Dumenko’s circle, the losses suffered by the UOC due to so-called “voluntary transfers” to the OCU were equated with losses resulting from occupation and the re-subordination of communities to the Russian Orthodox Church.