Phanar Archons in US raise a toast to Dumenko, calling him a model of faith

Dumenko explaining the essence of prayer to Archbishop Elpidophoros. Photo: Dimitrios Panagos

On February 13, 2025, the Archons of the Phanar hosted a dinner in honor of Epifaniy Dumenko at Gallaghers Steakhouse in New York, reports Orthodoxtimes.

During the meal, the Archons highly praised Dumenko for his outstanding spiritual qualities. Theodore Bozonelis, National Vice Commander of the AEP, offered a toast in honor of Metropolitan Epifaniy, saying that he had profound respect for the OCU leader "for exemplifying the triumph of faith no matter what the hardships may be."

Archbishop Elpidophoros, head of the Phanar Archdiocese in the USA, who was present at the dinner, told attendees that “the granting of the Autocephaly has always been meant to heal and unite all the Orthodox Christians of Ukraine into a single, national Church serving the Faithful and the Country.”

Whether this goal has been achieved, the hierarch did not specify.

In turn, Dumenko assured the dinner participants that “step by step, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine will unite all Orthodox believers of Ukraine in one, single Orthodox Church.” He also “expressed confidence in Ukraine’s ultimate victory, stating that Ukraine would win "because it enjoys the support of the United States and all the democratic world.”

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Dumenko hinted to Americans about the need to return nuclear weapons to Ukraine.

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