Phanar Hierarch and Dumenko Praise Bartholomew for Supporting the OCU

On June 10, an event was held in New York City to commemorate the feast day of the Holy Apostle Bartholomew — the heavenly patron of the Ecumenical Patriarch. The festive program took place at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church and included a concert, preceded by speeches from representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). This was reported by the UOJ editorial office in America.

Archbishop Elpidophoros, head of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (under the Ecumenical Patriarchate), addressed the audience with welcoming remarks. In his speech, he especially emphasized the role of Patriarch Bartholomew in the Ukrainian church crisis, praising him for granting the Tomos of autocephaly to the schismatic OCU, which is supported by Ukrainian state authorities.

“Guided by this agape for the whole world, wherever he is sent for the good of the human family, His All-Holiness brings his energy, wisdom, and courage,” Elpidophoros said. “Thus, when he found a way to restore millions of Ukrainian Orthodox Christians to the canonical Church, he did not hesitate to grant autocephaly to the Orthodox Church in Ukraine, despite the threats of schism and ultimately, the Russian invasion of this sovereign state.”

The hierarch also used theological rhetoric, declaring that Bartholomew “speaks truth to power” and is a “Patriarch who is of the Truth,” referencing the words of Christ: “Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18:37).

OCU head Epiphaniy Dumenko also addressed Patriarch Bartholomew with a congratulatory message. In his speech, he praised the Patriarch as a «fighter for truth and justice»:

“Like the Apostle, Your All-Holiness resolutely condemns falsehood and evil in today’s world, fights for the establishment of peace and justice, and strengthens the Great Church of Christ. Your ministry glorifies God, and you truly fulfill the apostolic mission.”

Earlier, it was reported that the Greek-American outlet The Orthodox Times, considered close to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, published a piece based on insider information from Ukraine and Phanar. According to the outlet, the Phanar hierarchy does not hold particularly warm feelings toward the OCU due to doubts about the appropriateness of Epiphaniy Dumenko’s selection as the head of the organization. At the same time, the media notes that internal conflicts are intensifying within the OCU itself, driven by the authoritarian stance of the leadership of the Ukrainian schism.