Bartholomew to Dumenko: Avoid the impression that you want to retain schism

Patriarch Bartholomew's letter to Epifaniy Dumenko was not read at the OCU "council." Photo: vechirniy.kyiv

On September 1, a publication close to the OCU released an unofficial translation of a letter dated July 26, 2023, from Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, in which he warned Epifaniy (Dumenko) against actions that could create the impression that he is trying to maintain the church schism in Ukraine.

It is noted that the letter was delivered on the eve of the OCU "council," which took place on July 27, and concerned the statutory documents.

NB. The translation provided below is free.

"...We would like to brotherly encourage you to avoid including in this Provision (referring to the Statute of the OCU – Ed.) articles that create the impression that the Orthodox Church of Ukraine seeks to maintain the existing division among the Orthodox church groups in your country, especially if this Provision explicitly references, by name, the heads of these groups," the message states.

Referring to his many years of experience, the head of the Phanar assures Dumenko that "such practices will only continue the current status quo of your relations with these groups, rather than advancing the long-awaited and desired goal of establishing a united conciliar Orthodox Church of Ukraine under your leadership."

The publication also reports that, according to participants of the council, this letter from Patriarch Bartholomew was not read at the OCU "council".

As the UOJ previously reported, a year ago, the Phanar explained to Dumenko what the OCU statute should be.

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