Phanar head and Patriarch of Alexandria concelebrate with Dumenko in Imbros
Celebrating the 60th anniversary of Patriarch Bartholomew’s priesthood. Photo: orthodoxtimes.com
On August 13, 2021, the Patriarchs of Constantinople and Alexandria concelebrated with Epiphany Dumenko at the festive liturgy on the island of Imbros (Turkey), the place of origin of the Ecumenical Patriarch. The service was broadcast live on the Facebook pages of the Patriarchate of Constantinople and the OCU.
Celebrations on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Patriarch Bartholomew’s priesthood were held at St. George’s Church. Besides Patriarch Theodore and "Metropolitan" Epiphany, the head of the Phanar was concelebrated by Metropolitan Panteleimon of Maroneia (representative of the Church of Greece) and Metropolitan Nektarios of Kition (representative of the Church of Cyprus), who were delegated by their primates.
Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon and “Archbishop” Evstratiy Zoria of the OCU attended prayerfully the service.
The day before, Patriarch Theodore and the head of the OCU attended the evening service, which was led by the Patriarch of Constantinople.
As the “Orthodox Times” reports, “the Vespers service was held, with the Ecumenical Patriarch speaking with kind words about the two hierarchs who were next to him".
Speaking after the end of the Vespers, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew spoke about the hierarchs who were in the Church. He referred to the Patriarch of Alexandria Theodore as his “close associate” "who supported the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Ecumenical Patriarch not only in the Holy Synod of Crete in 2016 but also with the recognition of the Autocephaly of the Church of Ukraine, as Archbishops Ieronymos of Greece and Chrysostomos of Cyprus did".
The head of the Phanar called Epiphany "a new leader of the Orthodox Church" while he stressed that he (the Ecumenical Patriarch) “responded to the request of the millions of Orthodox in the country and granted the Tomos of Autocephaly to the Church of Ukraine”. Patriarch Bartholomew also recalled his upcoming visit to Kyiv.
As reported, the OCU is organizing a "pilgrimage" to the liturgy of the Phanar head in Kyiv while UOC believers launched a flash mob "Bartholomew, we did not invite you".
Read also
SBU told Phanar many UOC bishops would join OCU in 2018, report says
According to a Phanar representative’s account, Ukrainian security services told the Constantinople delegation that many UOC representatives were prepared to attend the OCU’s “Unification Council.” In the end, only two did.
Catholic cardinal visits Ukrainian POWs during trip to Russia
During three days of consultations in Moscow, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi discussed prospects for ending the war in Ukraine.
Ukrainians help restore Serbian Orthodox church in Paris
Orthodox Ukrainians have become regular parishioners of St. Sava Church in Paris and have taken part in its restoration.
Bulgarian Church clergy and laity oppose Phanar head’s visit
More than 2,000 clergy and laity have called for the Ecumenical Patriarch’s visit to be canceled, citing disagreement with his actions and concerns that the visit could legitimize schism.
Unknown intruders break down doors at two UOC churches in Sloviansk
Archbishop Paisiy said OCU activists are suspected of breaking into the churches in Sloviansk, and police have launched an investigation.
Sviatohirsk Lavra prays for murdered monk on 40th day after death
The brethren of the Sviatohirsk Lavra held a memorial service for murdered Monk Varsonofiy, calling on the faithful to pray for the newly departed monk.