Dumenko counts three times as many believers in the OCU as in the UOC
Epifaniy Dumenko. Photo: pravda.com.ua
In an interview with RBC-Ukraine, the head of the OCU Epifaniy Dumenko spoke about sociological polls that claim that among Ukrainians who consider themselves Orthodox there are three times more supporters of his religious organization than the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
According to him, these polls showed that 50% of Ukrainians who identified themselves as Orthodox consider themselves parishioners of the OCU and only 15% are loyal to the UOC. “According to various sociological polls, Orthodox Christians have constituted in total about 72-73% over the recent years in Ukraine. More than 50% associate themselves with the OCU, consider themselves to be believers of our Church. There is a part, about 15%, of those who call themselves loyal to the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine,” Dumenko said.
He also said that when the OCU supporters in Ukraine amount to 80-90%, it will be possible to carry out a calendar reform and celebrate Christmas on December 25 instead of January 7.
At the same time, according to the official data of the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine for 2020, there are 12,410 parishes of the UOC and only 7097 of the OCU in the country.
As reported by the UOJ, Epifaniy Dumenko said that the help of law enforcement agencies and authorities is required for the transfer of communities to the OCU.
Read also
Petition Warns Canada’s Hate Speech Law Could Criminalize Scripture
Thousands of Canadians have signed a petition urging the Liberal government to drop proposed hate-speech changes that critics warn could criminalize quoting the Bible and other religious texts.
JD Vance: Criticizing Israel Is Not Antisemitism
Vice President JD Vance said opposing Israeli policies is not the same as antisemitism, sparking debate over where criticism of Israel ends and hatred of Jews begins.
First Orthodox Prayer Book Published in Indonesian Language
The first Orthodox prayer book in Indonesian has been published and presented in Bekasi, providing local faithful and new converts with a vital resource for prayer and liturgical life.
OCA Joins Legal Challenge to Illinois Abortion Referral Law
Amicus brief argues mandate violates religious freedom and compels pro-life providers to contradict their faith.
EXCLUSIVE: Leaked Ukrainian Memo Says Religious Freedom is ‘Achilles Heel’
In an emergency strategy meeting held in response to the Society of St. John's Day of Action, D.C.-based Ukrainian lobbyists acknowledged the weight of the religious freedom issue as it pertains to the Ukrainian government’s public perception.
Historic $2.9 Million Bequest Strengthens Greek Orthodox Foundation
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago Foundation has received a record $2.9 million bequest from the late Andy Efthim, a devoted layman whose faith-filled generosity will support the Church’s mission for generations.