Don’t concelebrate with schismatic Dumenko!—Greek faithful plead with their hierarch

Thassos, Greece, August 10, 2022

Met. Stephanos of Philippi (left), Epiphany Dumenko (right). Photo: proininews.gr Met. Stephanos of Philippi (left), Epiphany Dumenko (right). Photo: proininews.gr     

More than 400 parishioners of the Metropolis of Philippi, Neapolis, and Thassos of the Orthodox Church of Greece have a message for their hierarch: Don’t concelebrate with “Metropolitan” Epiphany Dumenko, the head of the schismatic “Orthodox Church of Ukraine!”

In a letter to Metropolitan Stephanos, 407 faithful tell of the sadness they felt when they learned that “the schismatic pseudo-bishop of Kiev, Epiphany … who is a layman in vestments,” will participate in the September celebration of the newly established Synaxis of the Saints of the Island of Thassos together with the primates of the Churches of Greece and Constantinople.

The letter, published on Romfea, was also sent to Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens, and all the members of the Permanent Synod of the Church of Greece.

The majority of Orthodox Churches don’t recognize and don’t have communion with Epiphany or his “church,” the faithful write. “You made us very sad with your choices,” by inviting Epiphany, they tell Met. Stephanos.

Concelebrating with Epiphany and other unordained “clerics” would be an offense to the “high priesthood that the Triune and One True God gave you,” they write. The sacred canons entail “heavy consequences” for such actions, they remind the Metropolitan.

“Are the pursuits and ambitions of third parties (e.g. politicians, diplomats, and ecclesiastical men) worth offending your authority and scandalizing the faithful?”

Unlike Met. Stephanos, Dumenko and his colleagues are completely lacking in Apostolic Succession, the parishioners write. Thus, “as children who see their father preparing to take anti-canonical actions, we call on you to resist all those who planned this unacceptable concelebration.”

Such resistance would please the Lord and reassure the people that they have hierarchs who resist “petty political interests.”

“We wish you good enlightenment to make Orthodox decisions, and may the Triune God give you strength, enlightenment, and courage in your work,” the faithful wish their hierarch, informing him that the collection of signatures will continue until Dumenko’s invitation is canceled.

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8/10/2022

See also
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After applying for membership in the World Council of Churches in April, the Patriarchate of Constantinople’s “Orthodox Church of Ukraine” met with representatives of the organization in Kiev on Wednesday. Greek Synod rejects Philaret Denisenko’s consecration of Greek Old Calendarist Greek Synod rejects Philaret Denisenko’s consecration of Greek Old Calendarist Greek Synod rejects Philaret Denisenko’s consecration of Greek Old Calendarist Greek Synod rejects Philaret Denisenko’s consecration of Greek Old Calendarist
This decision comes two years after Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens entered into communion with the schismatics of the “Orthodox Church of Ukraine,” thereby officially recognizing the ordinations and consecrations celebrated by the same Philaret, despite the fact that he had been canonically defrocked and anathematized by the Moscow Patriarchate. Recognition of schismatics and ecumenism threaten existence of Greek Church—Metropolis of Piraeus Recognition of schismatics and ecumenism threaten existence of Greek Church—Metropolis of Piraeus Recognition of schismatics and ecumenism threaten existence of Greek Church—Metropolis of Piraeus Recognition of schismatics and ecumenism threaten existence of Greek Church—Metropolis of Piraeus
Specific steps must be taken so that “the Local Greek Church isn’t wiped off the face of the earth, as the seven Local Churches of Asia Minor were wiped out,” the statement reads.
Comments
John D8/13/2022 2:51 am
MORFOU AND PETROS HEERS TOGETHER IN AYIOS MAMANDOS IN MORFOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_2klChZa30 Available in English?
Mike Ellis 8/11/2022 5:15 pm
It's Disgraceful to Orthodoxy to allow Dumenko in the Holy Alter of the Church. Cease now this unlawful action before its too late. We have enough problems. Wake up. Mike
Petraki8/10/2022 10:07 pm
MORFOU AND PETROS HEERS TOGETHER IN AYIOS MAMANDOS IN MORFOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_2klChZa30
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