Patr. Bartholomew’s Commemoration of Dumenko at Rila Monastery Draws Protest

RILA MONASTERY, BULGARIA — As reported by UOJ-Bulgaria, Patr. Bartholomew of Constantinople visited Rila Monastery for celebrations marking the feast of St. John of Rila, where he specifically commemorated Epiphany Dumenko, head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU).

Several Bulgarian Orthodox hierarchs attended the Divine Liturgy, including Metrs. Gabriel of Lovchan, Arseny of Sliven, John of Varna, Seraphim of Nevrokop, and Nahum of Ruse. However, several senior hierarchs were absent, including Metrs. Joseph, Ignatius, Gregory, Nikolai, Anthony, Cyprian, and Jacob.

The service reportedly drew relatively few laypeople. According to the report, some faithful were concerned that Patr. Bartholomew might not observe conditions reportedly established by the Bulgarian Orthodox Church concerning the commemoration of Dumenko, particularly during the Great Entrance of the Divine Liturgy.

The report also stated that many faithful who traditionally venerate St. John of Rila chose to attend services at Ruen Monastery, in the saint’s native region, instead.

Video shared by UOJ-Bulgaria shows that it was in the context of Patr. Bartholomew’s specific commemoration of Dumenko that shouts of “Anathema!” rang out from the crowd inside Rila Monastery’s church. The incident underscored the tensions surrounding the OCU and the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s recognition of its leadership.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the Ecumenical Patriarchate welcomed the Greece-Bulgaria agreement on the return of relics.