Dumenko complains that Russia is removing altars and icons from OCU temples

Epifaniy Dumenko. Photo: OCU press service

Epifaniy Dumenko in a publication dedicated to the launch of his structure in the previously UOC-owned Assumption Cathedral of Kaniv, complained that representatives of the Russian Federation are taking liturgical items from the churches of the OCU.

Mentioning Russia’s appropriation of “our birthright,” Dumenko stated that “even physically, as we can see, it is removing altars, icons, and other sacred items from our Ukrainian temples, hoping in this way to at least hinder the development of the true Local Church, to stall the process of ecclesiastical unification, the process of liberating Orthodox Ukrainians from the yoke of the 'Russian World'”.

“But this criminal ambition is failing. For the light of truth, the word of truth, destroys Russian deceit and leads people out of darkness,” Epifaniy assured.

Since the OCU has never officially reported that its churches were looted by Russian citizens, it can be assumed that Dumenko was referring to cases in which, prior to the forcible takeover of UOC churches by OCU-aligned activists, the parish communities relocated their sacred items to a safe place in order to continue services elsewhere.

What connection Ukrainian citizens from UOC communities have to Russia, Dumenko did not clarify.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that, according to Dumenko, the enemy had been destroying the Ukrainian liturgical language for centuries.

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