National Unity Minister discusses support for Ukrainians abroad with Dumenko

Chernyshov waits as Dumenko signs his certificate for a medal. Photo: OCU

On March 21, 2025, a meeting took place at the residence of Epiphany Dumenko between him and Oleksiy Chernyshov, Minister of the Ministry of National Unity, according to the website of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU).

The two discussed "support for Ukrainians who have received temporary protection abroad, along with other current issues."

Chernyshov presented Dumenko with a painting featuring a pomegranate, while Dumenko gifted the minister a commemorative coin with a certificate.

It is worth noting that the provisions of the Tomos prohibit the OCU from establishing parishes outside Ukraine.

Earlier, MP Mykola Kniazhytsky accused UOC parishioners abroad of espionage due to their husbands serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Prior to that, the OCU 'priest' had called on “relevant authorities” to investigate UOC clergy serving abroad. The Union of Orthodox Journalists also reported that UGCC head Sviatoslav Shevchuk urged Ukrainian authorities to take action against UOC communities abroad.

Read also

Patriarch Bartholomew convenes meeting of four Patriarchates

The Patriarch of Constantinople invited the primates of the Patriarchates of Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem to meet in Istanbul.

Patriarch Bartholomew: We await restoration of full communion with RCC

The Patriarch of Constantinople said he expects full communion with Catholics to be restored.

UOC commemorates Synaxis of All Saints of the Kherson Land

Metropolitan Ioann led the Liturgy on the feast of All Saints of the Kherson Land and the 30th anniversary of the glorification of Hieromartyr Prokopiy.

Serbian archimandrite calls Sviatohirsk monk’s murder a sin of Cain

Archimandrite Chrysostom (Nešić) reacted to the murder of Monk Varsonofiy at Sviatohirsk Lavra, calling it a “Cain-like crime.”

Congresswoman: I pray that Zelensky and Putin agree to U.S. peace plan

Anna Paulina Luna urged Zelensky and Putin to accept the peace plan proposed by Witkoff and Kushner to help bring the war in Ukraine to an end.

U.S. priest urges defense of UOC amid persecution

Fr. Zachariah Lynch criticized plans to honor Zelensky at St. Nicholas Church in New York and urged Orthodox Christians to speak out against the persecution of the UOC.