Dumenko: Eventually, everyone will be in OCU whether they want it or not

Dumenko believes that the faithful will have to join the OCU even if they don't want to. Photo: Voice of America

On October 15, 2023, during a "worship service" at the seized Intercession Cathedral of the UOC in Khmelnytskyi, the head of the OCU, Serhiy (Epifaniy) Dumenko, declared that ultimately all Orthodox believers will find themselves in his structure, whether they want it or not. The event was live-streamed on the OCU's YouTube channel.

Dumenko stated, "The war has been going on for centuries. The enemy is trying to destroy us as a separate nation, but we have restored our statehood and are building our Local Church."

According to him, "the process of unity here in Khmelnytskyi is successful because the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy is a leader in terms of parishes joining our Local Church."

"This demonstrates that our citizens are responsible patriots, kind, wise, and accordingly make the decision to be in their Ukrainian Orthodox Church," Dumenko said.

He expressed the opinion that "all Orthodox Ukrainians will be part of the large family of the OCU, whether someone wants it or not, believes it or not, but that's how it will be."

Dumenko mentioned that "this process is complex" but immediately added that "it is peaceful and calm".

He praised the local "bishop" Pavlo Yurystyi for the "transfers" from the UOC, making his eparchy the second-largest parish of the OCU after the Kyiv Eparchy. Dumenko wished Yurystyi "strength and inspiration" for further work and presented him with a panagia.

As reported, UN representatives met with the community of the seized cathedral in Khmelnytskyi. Also, the faithful of the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy informed the UN about 30 cases of violations of their rights. The UN's report expressed concerns about the violations of the UOC believers' rights in several regions, including Khmelnytskyi.

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