Media: Archbishop of Constantinople accuses Dumenko of violating the Tomos

Archbishop Elpidophoros and Epifaniy Dumenko. Photo: Elpidophoros’ Facebook page

At the Synod of the Archdiocese of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the U.S., held on April 10, 2025, its head Archbishop Elpidophoros accused Epifaniy Dumenko of violating the norms of the Tomos. This was reported by Ekirikas, citing its sources.

According to the publication, the archbishop told the Synod that Epifaniy, during his visit to the U.S. in February 2025, "was not inclined to cooperate" and refused to concelebrate with him, choosing instead a small Ukrainian community under the jurisdiction of Ukrainian hierarchs Daniel and Anthony.

“When Archbishop Elpidophoros asked him, ‘Why are you creating communities and parallel jurisdictions when this is forbidden by the Tomos of Autocephaly?’ Metropolitan Epifaniy replied that he could not control his bishops here,” the American outlet reported Elpidophoros as saying.

The Archbishop did not specify which particular parish Epifaniy was referring to.

It is worth recalling that the vicariate of the OCU in the U.S. and Canada had previously sent an official appeal to Epifaniy Dumenko and members of the Synod, signed by Secretary Viktor Poliarny, urging them to determine the official status of Ukrainian parishes abroad.

“We feel like exiles, like orphans forgotten in times of joy. While others celebrate and rejoice, we grieve and weep, for despite our years of labor and service, we have been rejected,” members of the diaspora lamented.

Pointing to the provisions of the OCU Tomos, which stipulate that all foreign parishes are to be transferred to the Phanar, the vicariate wrote: “Now more than ever, our Mother Church must extend a helping hand to her children scattered around the world and do everything possible to provide them with comprehensive spiritual and moral support.”

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