Greek archimandrite consecrated as bishop for Ukrainian schismatics

Kiev, May 27, 2019

    

Archimandrite Epiphanius (Dimitrou), formerly a cleric of the Demetrias and Almyros Diocese of the Greek Orthodox Church, was consecrated as a “bishop” for the Ukrainian schismatic church yesterday at St. Michael’s Golden-domed Cathedral in Kiev, to serve as “Bishop” of Olbia, tasked with working with Greek-speakers in Ukraine.

The service was led by the schismatic primate “Metropolitan” Epiphany Dumenko, with the concelebration of a number of Ukrainian schismatic bishops, as well as of the Constantinople hierarchs Metropolitan Emmanuel of Gaul and Metropolitan Amphilochius of Adrianople, reports the press service of the schismatic “Orthodox Church of Ukraine” (OCU) and the Greek outlet Romfea.

Abbot Bartholomew and Deputy Abbot Seraphim of New Esphigmenou Monastery on Mt. Athos were also present.

As OrthoChristian previously reported, Archimandrite Epiphanius was elected by the Synod of Bishops of the OCU at their session on Friday. According to “Archbishop” Evstraty Zorya, he received a release from his hierarch His Eminence Metropolitan Ingatius of Demetrias and Almyros of the Greek Orthodox Church, though this information has yet to be confirmed.

Following the All-Night Vigil the night before, Fr. Epiphanius addressed those present, saying: “On this special day, I feel the need to thank first of all His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and his sacrificial love, thanks to which the whole universe, as well as all the faithful Ukrainian people, are rejoicing today.”

He also promised to do everything within his power to secure the recognition of the OCU by the other Local Churches and “to preserve the unity of the Ukrainian Church.”

In his word to the newly-consecrated “Bp.” Epiphanius the next day, Epiphany Dumenko noted that Fr. Epiphanius long had ties to the “Kiev Patriarchate,” which had actually elected Fr. Epiphanius to serve as bishop already in 2000, though he does not specify why he was finally consecrated only 19 years later. At that time, no Local Church, not even Constantinople recognized the Ukrainian schismatics.

The Greek Church has yet to comment on “Bp.” Epiphanius’ transfer to an unrecognized, schismatic church.

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5/27/2019

See also
Archimandrite Epiphanius (Dimitrou) to become first Greek “bishop” of Ukrainian schismatic church Archimandrite Epiphanius (Dimitrou) to become first Greek “bishop” of Ukrainian schismatic church Archimandrite Epiphanius (Dimitrou) to become first Greek “bishop” of Ukrainian schismatic church Archimandrite Epiphanius (Dimitrou) to become first Greek “bishop” of Ukrainian schismatic church
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The actions of the Patriarchate of Constantinople (EP) in its process of granting a Tomos of autocephaly to the schismatic groups in Ukraine have created a canonical crisis.

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