Patriarch Bartholomew commemorates Dumenko at Liturgy in Bulgaria
Worshippers responded to Patriarch Bartholomew's commemoration of the OCU head with cries of "Anathema!"
On October 19, 2026, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew commemorated OCU head Epifaniy Dumenko during the Divine Liturgy at Rila Monastery, concelebrated with Patriarch Daniel, Primate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.
The Phanar head commemorated the OCU leader during the Great Entrance, naming him among the primates of the autocephalous Local Churches. As soon as Epifaniy's name was mentioned, worshippers in the church shouted, "Anathema!" The commemoration took place despite the fact that the Bulgarian Orthodox Church has not made any decision to recognize Dumenko's organization.
Patriarch Bartholomew had previously commemorated Dumenko in the same manner during a joint Liturgy with the Patriarchs of Bulgaria and Romania on the island of Imbros. For his part, Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel has repeatedly stressed that the OCU is an uncanonical organization and that most Local Orthodox Churches have not recognized it.
As the UOJ reported, Patriarch Daniel stated that the Bulgarian Church does not recognize the OCU and, along with most Local Orthodox Churches, supports the canonical UOC.
