Ukrainian schismatics on highly secretive second trip to Mt. Athos, sources say

Mt. Athos, April 9, 2019

Photo: dxnews.com Photo: dxnews.com     

Following the very public scandal caused by the previous visit to Mt. Athos of a group of its “clergy,” the schismatic Ukrainian Church is keeping a tight lid on the details of the second visit of its representatives, which is currently underway but seems to have turned out to be largely a failure.

In late March, OrthoChristian reported that “Metropolitan” Epiphany Dumenko, the schismatic primate, plans to travel to Athos after Pascha, possibly to be accompanied by Patriarch Bartholomew. At that time it was reported that this primatial trip would be preceded by a visit from another delegation of the schismatic church from April 5 to 9 “to prepare the ground for the visit of its primate and possibly Patriarch Bartholomew.”

According to informed Church sources, the entire trip is taking place very secretively—the abbots of the monasteries aren’t even being informed of the visits to their monasteries. It is also unclear who is in the delegation. There is reportedly someone named Michael, though “Metropolitan” Michael Zinkevich, who was persuaded to give up his candidacy for the primacy of the schismatic church by Philaret Denisenko, is known to be in Ukraine.

The schismatics were not at the Annunciation celebrations at either Vatopedi or Philotheou, where the brotherhoods celebrated patronal feasts. It is no surprise that they would not serve at Philotheou, which earlier declared that they would shut their gates before the schismatics.

The feast at Vatopedi was celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Justin of Nea Krini and Kalamaria of the Greek Church, which has not recognized the schismatic church. The schismatics did celebrate Liturgy at Vatopedi on their previous visit.

Someone from the schismatic church has reportedly been quietly visiting Dionysiou Monastery.

The Sacred Community of Mt. Athos, consisting of one representative of each of the 20 ruling monasteries, has discussed the Ukrainian issue several times but has not made any strong decisions. In early March, the representatives decided that each monastery would decide for itself whether or not to accept visitors from the schismatic-nationalist church.

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4/9/2019

See also
Patriarch Bartholomew, Epiphany Dumenko planning trip to Athos after Pascha Patriarch Bartholomew, Epiphany Dumenko planning trip to Athos after Pascha Patriarch Bartholomew, Epiphany Dumenko planning trip to Athos after Pascha Patriarch Bartholomew, Epiphany Dumenko planning trip to Athos after Pascha
The trip will be preceded by a visit from another delegation of the schismatic church from April 5 to 9 “to prepare the ground for the visit of its primate and possibly Patriarch Bartholomew.” A Simple “Reading” of the Tomos of Autocephaly A Simple “Reading” of the Tomos of Autocephaly
An Athonite Monk A Simple “Reading” of the Tomos of Autocephaly A Simple “Reading” of the Tomos of Autocephaly
Does anyone wonder what canonical crime these people committed that the Patriarch of Constantinople treated them this way? Maybe they’re guilty of not wanting to become autocephalous and enter into communion with unrepentant schismatics? Each Athonite monastery will decide for itself whether to accept Ukrainian schismatics, 4 Greek monasteries condemn Russian Church’s stance Each Athonite monastery will decide for itself whether to accept Ukrainian schismatics, 4 Greek monasteries condemn Russian Church’s stance Each Athonite monastery will decide for itself whether to accept Ukrainian schismatics, 4 Greek monasteries condemn Russian Church’s stance Each Athonite monastery will decide for itself whether to accept Ukrainian schismatics, 4 Greek monasteries condemn Russian Church’s stance
A regular meeting of the Sacred Community of Mt. Athos was held on February 28, during which the Ukrainian issue and the possibility of the Ukrainian schismatics visiting and serving in Athonite monasteries was raised again. Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk: A choice facing Athos Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk: A choice facing Athos Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk: A choice facing Athos Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk: A choice facing Athos
Evidently, the legalization of the Ukrainian schism by Patriarch Bartholomew has caused new divisions: one of them is being formed before our eyes in the very heart of the Patriarchate of Constantinople – on Holy Mount Athos. Schismatics’ report on Mt. Athos visit: Served Liturgy at two monasteries, communed at a third Schismatics’ report on Mt. Athos visit: Served Liturgy at two monasteries, communed at a third Schismatics’ report on Mt. Athos visit: Served Liturgy at two monasteries, communed at a third Schismatics’ report on Mt. Athos visit: Served Liturgy at two monasteries, communed at a third
At present, it is unclear how much of the report is reliable. Some of the information contradicts that which has been previously reported by reliable sources. Ukrainian metropolitan to Abbot Alexios of Xenophontos: “Whoever serves with schismatics also becomes a schismatic” Ukrainian metropolitan to Abbot Alexios of Xenophontos: “Whoever serves with schismatics also becomes a schismatic” Ukrainian metropolitan to Abbot Alexios of Xenophontos: “Whoever serves with schismatics also becomes a schismatic” Ukrainian metropolitan to Abbot Alexios of Xenophontos: “Whoever serves with schismatics also becomes a schismatic”
His Eminence Metropolitan Agafangel of Odessa and Izmail, the longest-serving hierarch of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, sent a letter to Archimandrite Alexios, the abbot of the Athonite monastery of Xenophontos, entreating him not to participate in the enthronement of “Metropolitan” Epiphany Dumenko, the primate of the Ukrainian schismatic church.

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