Pat. Bartholomew Asks Mt. Athos to Receive OCU 'Primate'

Bartholomew on Mt. Athos. Source: Orthodox Times

KARYES — Serhii "Epifaniy" Dumenko, head of the schismatic Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), is allegedly planning a visit to Mount Athos, supported by Patriarch Bartholomew. The news has sparked significant objections among the Athonite community.

According to a report from romioitispolis.gr, representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate are circulating claims that Epifaniy (referred to as the “pseudo-Kyivan” in the report) intends to visit the Holy Mountain. The article questions the appropriateness of this visit, citing the controversial phrase “Slava Ukraini” and its historical associations with World War II collaborators, while also noting the ongoing persecution of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), its clergy, and Metropolitan Onuphry under the Zelensky administration,—allegedly, with Epifaniy’s approval.

The report states that the Holy Kinot, the governing body of Mount Athos, received a letter from Patriarch Bartholomew on September 22, 2025 (September 9 O.S.), recommending Dumenko visit. Dumenko is supposed to be accompanied by Met. Apostolos of Melitene, the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s representative on Athos and abbot of St. Anastasia Monastery in Chalkidiki. This proposal reportedly met with strong opposition within the Holy Kinot, whose staunch support for the canonical Church is well known.

To avoid public protests similar to those during the visit of Abp. Elpidophoros of America, there are suggestions that Dumenko's visit might be framed as an unofficial pilgrimage to two monasteries, Xenophontos and Pantokrator, followed by visits to a few others and the Holy Epistasia, potentially to create the impression that Mount Athos recognizes the OCU.

The outlet concludes that it remains uncertain whether the visit will proceed and which monasteries might support it.

Recently, the UOJ reported that Patriarch Bartholomew’s use of “Slava Ukraini” caused significant controversy in the Greek Orthodox community.

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