Former OCU “bishop” appointed to new see at Phanar

Patriarch Bartholomew with Epifanios Dimitriou. Photo: OCU press service

On May 26, 2026, the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople met at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George at the Phanar under the chairmanship of Patriarch Bartholomew. During the session, Synod members voted to appoint a vicar bishop – a former representative of Epifaniy Dumenko’s structure, UOJ Greece reports.

Epifanios Dimitriou received the status of Bishop of Hexamilion. Until recently, he had held the title of “Bishop of Olbia” in the jurisdiction of the OCU. He will now serve as an assistant to the head of the Phanar. Earlier, on May 11, 2026, the OCU Synod officially released him from his duties as vicar of the Kyiv Eparchy in connection with his transfer to the Patriarchate of Constantinople. Dimitriou himself permanently resides in Greece and personally expressed the wish to come under Constantinople’s direct authority.

In 2019, the OCU “Synod” elected Epifanios Dimitriou Bishop of Olbia, and on May 26 of that year his episcopal consecration took place with the participation of hierarchs of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. At the time, the appearance of a Greek cleric in Dumenko’s structure was linked to efforts to secure recognition of the OCU by other Local Orthodox Churches.

Before that, Dimitriou had been a cleric of the Metropolis of Demetrias and Almyros of the Church of Greece and had actively cooperated with the Phanar for many years. In particular, Patriarch Bartholomew awarded him for his involvement in efforts to revive the Halki Theological School.

As reported earlier by the UOJ, Patriarch Bartholomew accused the ROC of destroying Orthodox unity.

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