Abp. Ieronymos (left), Pat. Bartholomew (center), Epiphany Dumenko (right). Photo: Romfea     

On Sunday, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens concelebrated with the primate of the schismatic “Orthodox Church of Ukraine,” “Metropolitan” Epiphany Dumenko.

The Liturgy was held at the Church of the Dormition in Thassos for the feast of the Synaxis of All Saints of Thassos, reports Romfea.

Other hierarchs from Constantinople, Greece, and the OCU also served, including Simeon Shostatsky, a former canonical bishop who left the Orthodox Church to join the schismatics in December 2018.

While Pat. Bartholomew has concelebrated with the schismatic Dumenko before, this was the first time Abp. Ieronymos served with him since entering into communion with the schismatics in Archbishop of Greece officially recognizes Ukrainian schismaticsIn responding to the letter of Epiphany Dumenko sent at the beginning of the year, Abp. Ieronymos has officially recognized the OCU and Epiphany Dumenko as its primate.

Recall that the Orthodox faithful of Thassos Greek faithful again protest schismatic Dumenko’s trip to GreeceOn Friday morning, August 26, the faithful of the city of Kavala gathered near the administration of the Metropolis of Philippi, Neapolis, and Thassos to deliver a letter to Metropolitan Stephanos, signed by 60 people.

“>protested the plans to concelebrate with Dumenko several times, emphasizing that he is an unordained schismatic. Elder Gabriel, disciple of St. Paisios, and other Athonite monks protest visit of schismatic Dumenko to GreeceThe head of the so-called “Orthodox Church of Ukraine” is invited to participate in events dedicated to the holy Apostle Paul on the island of Thassos, September 3-6, together with the Greek primate Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople.”>A group of Athonite monks led by Elder Gabriel, a spiritual child of St. Paisios the Athonite, also raised their voices in protest.

“Words cannot express the spiritual joy for today’s Divine Liturgy,” Dumenko said, addressing the other hierarchs. “We bear witness to the unity of the Church of Christ all here together.”

And concerning those Churches which refuse to have communion with the schismatic OCU, Dumenko said: “Some deny Church communion for the sake of power. They seek secular power and wealth.” He called on them to “give up stubbornness and return to the truth and unity of the Church.”

In turn, Pat. Bartholomew declared that the “Ecumenical Patriarchate restored a big problem, with much care and deep study,” referring to the Ukrainian schism.

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