Patriarch Bartholomew: Epifaniy’s piety fully justifies our hopes
Dumenko and Patriarch Bartholomew at the Phanar. Photo: OCU
The head of the Church of Constantinople, Patriarch Bartholomew, congratulated Epifaniy on the 7th anniversary of his enthronement as head of the OCU and sent him a congratulatory letter in which he stated that Dumenko’s activity fully justifies the hopes of the Ecumenical Throne.
Patriarch Bartholomew said that the seed of grace he had sown in Ukraine “was watered by the sweat and the prayer of love” of Epifaniy and, as a result, “bore abundant fruits – as a living testimony to the presence of the Holy Spirit the Comforter among the pious Ukrainian people.”
However, Patriarch Bartholomew did not specify what exactly these “abundant fruits” of Serhiy Dumenko’s prayer are.
According to him, in the present difficult time, Epifaniy “as a vigilant watchman, stands firmly and unshakably on the spiritual heights, comforting, strengthening, and inspiring the spiritual flock.”
The Patriarch assured that the “wisdom, prudence, and piety” of Serhiy Petrovych “fully justify the hopes of the Mother Church, which rejoices in the Lord as it beholds the successes of her daughter and sister – the Ukrainian Church.”
Earlier, the UOJ reported that Patriarch Bartholomew had promised not to revoke the Tomos from the OCU.
Read also
Greece signs memorandum on protection of Jerusalem Patriarchate's shrines
Next week, the Greek Parliament will ratify a document on the protection of the cultural heritage of the Jerusalem Patriarchate.
Greek bishop calls imposition of same-sex marriage a threat
Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythera urged families to become a “domestic church” amid threats to the Christian family in Greek laws and school curricula.
Patriarch Bartholomew arrives in Budapest for opening of Orthodox center
The Ecumenical Patriarch has arrived in Hungary, where he will preside over the consecration of the Orthodox center "Phanarion."
OCU raiders stage attack on seized church in Kyiv, media
OCU "hierarch" Serhiy Horobtsov published a provocative post online regarding St. John's Church in Bykivnia seized by his people.