After failed church seizure in Chernivtsi, Epifaniy accuses UOC of slander

Epifaniy Dumenko. Photo: the OCU press service

The day after the failed attempt by the OCU militants to seize the Holy Spirit Cathedral of the UOC in Chernivtsi, the head of this structure, Epifaniy Dumenko, published a text on Facebook, in which he accused the UOC of slander and aggression.

"Unfortunately, fed with a destructive and poisonous 'cocktail' of half-truths, they consider their compatriots, their brothers and sisters in Christ, as enemies. Being in the captivity of lies, they are afraid to admit their wrongs, and therefore cover this weakness with aggression – insults, slander, accusations, and threats," laments Serhiy Dumenko.

According to him, in the UOC, «supporters of the Russian Patriarchate in Ukraine skillfully manipulate half-truths, hiding or distorting the truth». The head of the OCU also warned about the danger of «half-truths» and urged to evaluate people's actions «by their fruits».

Epifaniy did not specify why he published such reflections.

Not everyone supported Serhiy Dumenko in the comments.

Theologian of the OCU Yuriy Chornomorets urged Epifaniy "to do everything possible to prevent violence or lawlessness". "Cherkasy, now Chernivtsi. And supposedly only one side is to blame because they are the ROC. But if they are the ROC, then 'everything is allowed'?" asked the OCU theologian.

Maria Markovska published a video of the cathedral seizure in Chernivtsi with the words: "Vladyka, do you recognize your flock?"

Oleksandr Maksymets wrote: "Truly so, even people rise from a wheelchair, not like in the UOC."

Recall, during the storming of the cathedral, the OCU militants brutally beat several clergymen and stole the church's cashbox. Also, to get into the temple, one of the raiders was brought in a wheelchair, after which he was suddenly «healed».

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