Epiphany Dumenko: Transfer of UOC communities to OCU in Bukovyna is an irreversible process

The head of the OCU, Epiphany Dumenko, said that the transition of religious communities of the UOC in Bukovyna to the bosom of the Ukrainian schism is an «irreversible and evolutionary process.» According to him, this transition «is of key importance for strengthening the spiritual independence of Ukraine,» especially in the context of the ongoing war, and contributes to the final liberation from the ideology of the «Russian world.»

According to molbuk.ua, Epiphany Dumenko emphasized that the process of joining the communities to the OCU is peaceful and calm, although «the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the UOC is making attempts to provoke.» «This is an evolutionary process. We want everything to happen peacefully and calmly, but we see that the UOC is making provocations. Communities make their own decisions. Then they draw up the relevant documentation. Sometimes it takes some time, but we are not in a hurry,» the publication quotes the head of the OCU as saying.

Dumenko expressed confidence that over time, all Orthodox parishes, not only in Bukovyna but throughout Ukraine, will become part of the «recognized single local OCU.» He also noted that «the war accelerates people’s awareness of the need for this transition,» as the enemy seeks to destroy and enslave Ukraine, using, among other things, spiritual influence. «Gradually, all parishes that are Orthodox, not only in Bukovyna but throughout Ukraine, will be in the bosom of the recognized single local OCU. This is an irreversible process. It takes time for people to realize that this is necessary. Especially during the war, when the enemy is trying to destroy and enslave us,» Epifaniy said.

We also recall that after the incident in the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Chernivtsi, during which the priests of the UOC were severely beaten by supporters of the OCU, the head of the OCU in the Chernivtsi region, Theognost Bodoryak, published a statement addressed to the clergy and believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. In his message, he called on representatives of the UOC to «turn their lives to God» and «remove the veil from their spiritual eyes.» According to Bodoryak, he feels «pastoral responsibility for the development of the local Orthodox Church in Bukovyna and for the spiritual benefit and growth of every Orthodox believer.» He also emphasized hisintention to complete the process: «the path begun by the faithful and society will be completed and the leading shrine of the Orthodox Bukovinians will be prayed in the bosom of the OCU.»