Dumenko: For us to meet UOC Council’s conditions means renouncing God
The UOC Council in Feofania on May 27, 2022. Photo: UOC
On August 15, the OCU published an appeal from Epifaniy Dumenko to His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, calling for a dialogue on unity "without preconditions".
"We know that you previously voiced three demands for such a dialogue, namely – that we reject the decisions of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and ignore the requests of those who make these decisions and wish to be united as the Orthodox Church of Ukraine," the statement regarding the decisions of the UOC Council in Feofania on May 27, 2022, reads.
According to Dumenko, "for objective and independent reasons, we cannot agree to such demands, as they contradict the truth and would mean renouncing God, who granted our hierarchs and clergy the grace of priesthood, and renouncing the Church of Christ, which was benevolent to Ukraine through the hands and labour of the Ecumenical Patriarch."
As reported by the UOJ, Epifaniy recalled several conditions adopted at the UOC Council in Feofania, without mentioning the demand to stop the violent seizures of churches, beatings of clergy and believers, and repeatedly insisted that the dialogue should begin "without preconditions".
Earlier, on August 13, during a meeting of the official Ukrainian delegation with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the head of the OCU assured the head of the Phanar that he consistently urges representatives of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to unite.
Read also
St. Nicholas Church parish of Dnipro delivers aid to Kherson region residents
Believers of the Dnipropetrovsk Eparchy carried out a humanitarian mission to the Kherson region.
Celebrations honoring miraculous icon of Theotokos begin at Pochaiv Lavra
The festive All-Night Vigil at the Pochaiv Lavra began with an akathist before the miraculous Pochaiv Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos.
Metropolitan Nathanael consecrates iconostasis in Nosachevychi
The ruling bishop of the Volyn Eparchy led the Divine Liturgy at the St. Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene Church, where he consecrated the iconostasis.
Police officers in England invited to observe Ramadan fast in solidarity
British police officers of all faiths have been encouraged to observe the Ramadan fast alongside their Muslim colleagues to better understand the significance of Islam's holiest month.
Canadian military advises chaplains to avoid prayers and references to God
Canada's Armed Forces have introduced new guidance encouraging military chaplains to replace traditional prayers with neutral "spiritual reflections" at official ceremonies to accommodate service members of all beliefs, including atheists.
Faithful at Lavra urged to remain loyal to Christ despite trials
During a prayer vigil, a priest recalled the Gospel examples of the Apostle Peter and St. Mary Magdalene, Equal-to-the-Apostles, speaking about the power of faith.