Epifaniy prays for Patriarch Kirill's long life during a service at Phanar
Dumenko and Zoria at a service with Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: pomisna.info
On March 9, 2025, the first Sunday of Great Lent, during the Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy service at the Phanar, the leader of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), Epifaniy Dumenko, prayed for the long life of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow.
As seen in a video published by UOC clergyman Andriy Hlushchenko, during the service, the patriarchal protodeacon read the traditional list (diptych) of the Primates of the Local Churches. After mentioning Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem and Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria, the proclamation πολλὰ τα ἔτη ("Many years") was also made for Patriarch Kirill of Moscow.
Notably, the head of the OCU, as well as his assistant Yevstratiy Zoria, who concelebrated with Patriarch Bartholomew that day, did not express any protest or attempt to stop the service, despite their previously stated public rhetoric regarding the Russian Orthodox Church.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that Epifaniy Dumenko explained why he commemorates Patriarch Kirill.
Read also
U.S. bishops call for Church unity on Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy
The Assembly of Bishops of the USA has issued an encyclical for the Triumph of Orthodoxy on Church unity, veneration of icons, and support for pan-Orthodox ministry.
OCU organizes harassment of businessman for aiding UOC
Hryshchuk called for boycotting the business of the entrepreneur who built a UOC church in the Rivne region.
Head of Lavra Reserve: I believe UOC monks will move to the OCU
Ostapenko said there are 140 UOC monks and novices on the territory of the Lower Lavra.
"Shield of Judah": Biblical name given to operations against Iran
A joint Israeli–US military operation against Iran has received a code name referencing the biblical forefather of the Jewish royal line.
In Syria, Islamic militants behead statues of Christ and Virgin Mary
Vandals beheaded statues of the Lord and the Mother of God at the entrance to the "Cave of the Virgin Mary" in the village of Al-Basiya near the coastal city of Banias in Syria.
Icon with particle of Gabriel Urgebadze's relics to be brought to Uzhhorod from Georgia
The holy icon, painted in Georgia, will be brought to the Holy Trinity Church of the Mukachevo Eparchy of the UOC.