Ambassador: Epifaniy's meeting with the Pope is a step to OCU recognition
Pope Francis and Epifaniy Dumenko. Photo: OCU
Andrii Yurash, Ukraine's Ambassador to the Vatican and religious scholar, stated that the meeting between OCU leader Epifaniy Dumenko and Pope Francis in the Vatican was a significant event in strengthening the international recognition of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). He made this statement during a broadcast on Ukrainian Radio.
"A few years ago, it was hard to imagine joint prayer services like the ones held today. Now, they are attended not only by diplomats accredited to the Holy See but also by representatives of countries with which Ukraine rarely finds common ground," Yurash noted.
He emphasized that the meeting with the Pontiff was an important step in solidifying the OCU's global standing, as Dumenko's structure is currently recognized by only four Orthodox Churches.
The ambassador also pointed out that the Catholic Church maintains its neutrality on the issue of canonical recognition of Orthodox Churches, treating it as an internal matter for Orthodoxy. However, he stated that the dialogue with the Catholic Church and joint activities are, in practice, a form of diplomatic support.
"This meeting marks a new stage in developing the external strategy of Ukrainian Orthodoxy. It reaffirms the importance of mutual understanding and interaction with global Christianity," Andrii Yurash concluded.
As previously reported by the UOJ, during his visit to the Vatican, Dumenko discussed the law banning the UOC with the head of the Pontifical Council.
Read also
Novynskyi: Monk’s murder stems from hatred fueled against UOC
UOC Protodeacon Vadym Novynskyi said the murder of Monk Varsonofiy at the Sviatohirsk Lavra was a manifestation of hatred, lawlessness and persecution of the Church.
Serbian Church in US denies reports of involvement in honoring Zelensky
The Eastern American Diocese of the Serbian Church commented on reports alleging that Bishop Irinej would take part in presenting an award to the Ukrainian president.
OCU cleric calls UOC an “enemy” and urges unity with Greek Catholics
An OCU cleric said the presence of the UOC in Ukraine amounts to the “presence of the enemy” and called for unification with Greek Catholics.
DESS finds Zaporizhzhia Eparchy affiliated with ROC
Ukraine’s State Service for Ethnopolitics identified three signs of ties between the administration of the UOC’s Zaporizhzhia Eparchy and the ROC through the Kyiv Metropolia.
UOC choir director and catechist school in Dnipro opens enrollment
The theological school at the St. Tikhvin Convent in Dnipro has opened enrollment in three specialties.
Serbian president visits Transfiguration Monastery in Kozji Dol
Aleksandar Vučić visited the Orthodox monastery in Kozji Dol and discussed the situation of Serbs in the south of the country.