Why Epifaniy’s “piety” justifies Patriarch Bartholomew’s hopes

Patriarch Bartholomew and Serhii Dumenko. Photo: AP

Patriarch Bartholomew sent Serhiy Dumenko congratulations on the anniversary of his enthronement and on his birthday. The letter is composed in the familiar traditions of elevated Byzantine rhetoric. In this case, however, that style can only provoke a sarcastic smile because of its glaring contrast with objective reality.

“The seed of grace sown then, watered by the sweat and the prayer of your love, has borne abundant fruits – as a living testimony to the presence of the Holy Spirit the Comforter among the pious Ukrainian people.”

What exactly does the Patriarch see as the “abundant fruits” of the “prayer of love” of his protégé? In the mass seizures of UOC churches and physical violence by OCU clergy? In the deception surrounding staged, fake “transfers” and Dumenko’s constant insistence that everything is happening “voluntarily”? In the obvious division and hostility among Ukrainians that have arisen as a result of the OCU leader’s actions? Is this really how the presence and work of the Holy Spirit are to be understood?

Let us simply recall the Apostle Paul’s words: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal. 5:22–23). Do the fruits of Dumenko’s work correspond to these words?

“Your Beatitude, as a good shepherd and a vigilant watchman, you stand firmly and unshakably on spiritual heights, comforting, strengthening, and inspiring the spiritual flock entrusted to you by God.”

Where, concretely, does Patriarch Bartholomew see Epifaniy’s “spiritual heights”? In the lies, hatred, and divisions he sows among Ukrainians? Or in the fact that he, as a “professor of theology,” appears not to know the Gospel, referring to Christ’s words as mere “proverbs”?

“The wisdom, prudence, and piety by which you are guided in this difficult and responsible time fully justify the hopes of the Mother Church.”

This is the key phrase that explains all the preceding absurdities. Even if Epifaniy were personally sawing off the locks of UOC churches and beating its bishops over the head with a club, he would still “justify the hopes of the Mother Church.” Why?

Because the Mother Church, by definition, cannot be mistaken. All decisions of her Patriarch, as the head of Orthodoxy, are infallible – including the creation of the OCU. And anyone who doubts this is, of course, an agent of the Kremlin.

Read also