EDITOR’S NOTE (Nick Stamatakis). The cry of “Anathema!” that broke the solemnity of the Liturgy in Bucharest on October 27, 2025, was more than an isolated outburst—it was the sound of a rift reverberating through the heart of global Orthodoxy. As Pat. Bartholomew commemorated Epiphaniy Dumenko, the head of the schismatic and uncanonical Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), the moment distilled years of ecclesiastical tension into a single word charged with theological and political weight. The shout, sharp and unexpected, pierced a ceremony meant to celebrate unity and the rich legacy of the Romanian Church, revealing how fragile that unity remains. (PLEASE WATCH VIDEO BELOW).
The Romanian Patriarchate’s centenary celebration was intended to project continuity, faith, and national pride. Yet the “Anathema” incident underscored the Schism within world Orthodoxy over the recognition of the Ukrainian Church—a question that has divided patriarchates, clergy, and believers alike. In ignoring the outburst and continuing the Liturgy, the hierarchs chose calm over confrontation, dignity over spectacle. Still, the word hangs in the air, a reminder that even amid gold vestments and incense, the struggle for spiritual authority and legitimacy remains far from settled.
===============
In Bucharest, Pat. Bartholomew commemorates Dumenko amid “Anathema” cries
During the joint Liturgy with Patriarch Daniel, the head of the Constantinople Church commemorated Epifaniy Dumenko.
On October 27, 2025, a Liturgy presided over by Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and Patriarch Daniel of Romania was celebrated in the altar of the Patriarchal National Cathedral of the Romanian Church in Bucharest.
The service was dedicated to St. Demetrius the New, the patron saint of Bucharest, and was timed to the 100th anniversary of the Romanian Patriarchate and the 140th anniversary of the autocephaly of the Romanian Orthodox Church.
During the Great Entrance, Patriarch Bartholomew, together with the primates of other Local Orthodox Churches, pronounced the name of Epiphanius (Serhii) Dumenko as “Metropolitan of Kyiv.” Immediately after Dumenko’s name was spoken, a loud cry of “Anathema!” was heard from someone in the congregation.
The hierarchs appeared to ignore the outburst and continued the service as if nothing had happened.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that in Bucharest, Patriarchs Bartholomew and Daniel consecrated the largest Orthodox church in the world.
The hubris of this man to commemorate a schismatic that the Romanian Church has explicitly said it will not recognize
I don’t speak Romanian but you heave to think this caused scandal in Romania so I would be curious if a statement will be issued
Bartholomew did the same thing at the funeral of Patriarch Neophytos +
He knows no one wants the OCU so he’s having to force them on the Church.
Anathema, indeed…
There’s a point at which the Romanians should take a firmer stance, but politics are politics when you serve 2 masters…
What an embarrassment for the utterly embarrassing Bartholomew!
In the meantime, many of the metropolitans in Ukraine in the real orthodox church continue to be taken to court.
Metr. Theodosy, who’s cathedral was stolen and now it sits empty since OCU has no followers has been in and out of court.
https://spzh.eu/en/news/88821-metropolitan-theodosiys-preventive-measure-extended-for-another-two-months
Metr. Arseny has been detained for over 2 years, then released… only to be arrested again… the same day. He is in need of heart surgery, but Barto doesn’t care.
Metr. Longhin, in court repeatedly, sometimes 2 days in a raw, suffered several hearth attacks including during court proceedings, that let him to the ICU, had several heart surgeries during those trials
But you know what? Those men of God will be counted with the saints. I petty Barto for being so hard hearted. He is a nobody. He wants attention because he is so irrelevant. The Church of God will shine no matter how much he is persecuting it. But all he cares about is himself and his grip on power. The reality is that even if Istambul will no longer exist on the map, the OC will continue. Barto is trully irrelevant, yet, he thinks he is somewhat very important: https://spzh.eu/en/news/88782-patriarch-bartholomew-troubled-by-disorderly-voices-criticizing-his-church
He is becoming a joke!
Truly Anathema!!!
Sandy, thanks for the updates. It’s heart-wrenching to hear of the Mets’ continuous suffering. I pray they are all on the mend soon.
Team Jesus:
I believe OC is in crises, and a pan orthodox synod is needed for a cleanup. A few local churches called for a pan orthodox synod but nothing is concretely planned yet.
Antathema kai pali Anathema!!!!
May Black Bart hear this cry in every single instance where he steps foot into territory he does not belong. The world is on the brink of Nuclear War and this man, this CIA Asset along with Mike Pompeo whom the Archons just glorified in their stupid award ceremony, these people all have blood on their hands and should be anathematized FOREVER.
ANAXIOS!!!
Nick what do you make of the strong rumors that Bartholomew and Leo will announce a union whole Leo is in Turkey at the end of the month?
I’ve heard this from a couple of diffferent places
If he does he will cause one more Schism – the final of his disastrous tenure…
I was talking to a monastery elder, I won’t say who and where, so he won’t get into trouble. And we discussed in detail about the situation in Ukraine and the schism. And he is always very calm and very well balanced. But this time, he said, well let it be, then we know where the Church is and where it is not. Something like that. And yes, I think at the end, this needs to happen, we can’t continue to throw dirt at the OC and let those in power abuse the power and water down our faith. Yes schism is a great tragedy, but so is losing our faith and replacing it with a watered down fake replica.
There have been these types of rumors before but I don’t know the veracity of these claims, I’ve just heard them from different resources
My wonder is that IF he communes with Leo or he communes Leo, will the Churches of Greece, Cyprus and even Athos take a finite definitive stand?
Will Athos formally break communion?
Petros,
I think most of the ones that recognize the present schism will follow and the ones that do not, will not follow. There needs to be a force to oppose this. Theologians and the Church needs to take position. There is some work that is coming out against what Barto is doing:
https://spzh.eu/en/news/88879-book-presented-on-papacy-of-constantinople-and-ukrainian-schism-in-rome
Then Glory to God for that because most of the Church of Greece, Cyprus and even Alexandria do not support the OCU.
In those Churches, maybe besides Alexandria, it wasn’t by unanimous consent of the bishops
Glory be to God, I have followed the case of Metr. Arseny for about 2 years. His situation has been the worst that I know of. Many people even from inside the government intervened on his behalf to be released on bond but the court refused. The a few days, they released him on bond after being detained for over a year, but they immediately rearrested him same day, and then had a court appearance that took over a day: https://spzh.eu/en/news/88844-trial-of-metropolitan-arseniy-ongoing-for-more-than-a-day-and-a-half
Then over the sudden, Glory be to God! He looks great serving Liturgy! Finally! I hope this is the end. What a charade! This court and the government and the persecutor in chief, Barto should be proud, they surpassed the cruelty the Bolsheviks!
https://spzh.eu/en/news/88850-authorities-allow-metropolitan-arseniy-to-hold-his-first-service-in-15-years