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The Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) remains a central topic of discussion within Ukraine's religious and political landscape, particularly in light of its alleged affiliations with Russia. A substantial proportion of Ukrainians support a legislative move to ban religious organizations linked to Russia, reflecting prevalent anti-Russian sentiments. Additionally, several clerical figures from the Church have been implicated in espionage and pro-Russian activities, drawing the attention of Ukraine's Security Service. With over 7,800 churches still operational, debates continue on the Church's role and its influence on local politics and society, all against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Such issues underscore the complexities surrounding religious freedom, national security, and international law, as Ukraine navigates its path towards EU integration, with legislation playing a crucial role in shaping the Church's future.
What are the recent controversies involving the Ukrainian Orthodox Church?
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) has been embroiled in controversies involving alleged affiliations with Russian entities. Several clerics have faced accusations of espionage, with some allegedly providing intelligence to Russian forces. This has resulted in increasing public and governmental scrutiny, sparking debates over its legal status within Ukraine.
How many Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) entities are operational in Ukraine?
According to recent data, over 7,800 entities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) remain operational across Ukraine. This extensive presence continues to raise discussions on the Church's influence and its ties to Russian interests, particularly amidst the backdrop of ongoing political and military tensions.
What legal measures are being taken against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church by the Ukrainian government?
The Ukrainian government has proposed and enacted legislation aimed at restricting activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) based on its perceived ties with Russian interests. Such measures are part of broader efforts to safeguard national security in the context of the continued conflict with Russia, prompting legal and public discourse on religious freedom and security.
How does the public view the Ukrainian Orthodox Church's connection to Russia?
A significant portion of the Ukrainian public, as highlighted in recent polls, supports the legislative ban on religious organizations linked to Russia, including entities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church associated with the Moscow Patriarchate. This public sentiment reflects broader national concerns about security and sovereignty in the face of Russian aggression.
What repercussions have clerical figures faced due to alleged pro-Russian activities?
Clerics of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church with alleged pro-Russian sentiments and activities have faced legal actions, including arrests and criminal charges. Accusations have ranged from espionage to inciting religious hatred, leading to widespread critiques from both governmental bodies and opposing religious organizations within Ukraine.
Is there a resolution in sight for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church's legal challenges?
The future legal status of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) in Ukraine remains subject to ongoing legislative processes and judicial decisions. While government action seeks to curtail the Church's perceived influence in light of its Russian ties, tensions between religious and governmental entities continue, with international law and EU alignment playing roles in resolving these issues.
What impact does EU legislation have on the status of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church?
Ukraine's prospective membership in the European Union entails compliance with EU legislation, which influences how the nation addresses the Ukrainian Orthodox Church's affiliations with Russia. This legal alignment is critical to ensuring that national actions regarding religious organizations conform to international norms, providing a framework for dispute resolution.
News Ukrainian Orthodox Church
Russians have destroyed church in Kramatorsk: one person has been killed and others injured as result of strikes on city. VIDEO+PHOTOS In Kramatorsk, in the Donetsk region, the Church of St John the Baptist suffered significant damage as a result of a Russian strike. During the attacks on the city on 22 September, one person was killed and two others were injured. 3 336 11 Previously in trend: Shelling of Kramatorsk
62% of Ukrainians support ban on religious organisations linked to Russia, - "Rating" poll. INFOGRAPHICS Most Ukrainians support the passage of a law that would ban the activities of religious organizations linked to Russia. 1 483 23 Previously in trend: UOC ties to ROC
Cleric of UOC-MP directed ’Iskander’ missiles at Odesa; he has been detained, – SSU. PHOTO The Security Service’s counter-intelligence unit has detained another agent of Russian military intelligence (better known as the GRU) in Odesa. He turned out to be a priest from one of the churches in the local diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) who had been... 6 061 28 Previously in trend: spying in favor of Russia Detention of UOC-MP clerics
Properties in "Dynasty" were consecrated by priest of UOC-MP linked to Chernyshov and Pasha Mercedes, - "Slidstvo.Info" The construction of the "Dynasty" cottage town in Kozyn, Kyiv Oblast – which features in the case involving Andrii Yermak, the former head of the President’s Office – may have been consecrated by Viktor Drebotii, an archpriest at the "Church of All Saints" of the Moscow Patriarchate. 8 077 64 Previously in trend: Dynasty construction
Four pro-Russian agitators exposed: they called for torture of prisoners and for ’Oreshnik’ strike on Kyiv. PHOTOS The Security Service has detained a further four enemy propagandists in various regions of Ukraine. The perpetrators supported Russia’s armed aggression, called for the shelling of Ukrainian cities and the torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war. 4 266 25 Previously in trend: Pro-Russian agitators
In Sumy region, UOC MP priest sentenced to 5 years for passing air defense coordinates to enemy A court has found a 41-year-old archpriest of a church belonging to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate guilty of disseminating information regarding the locations of Ukrainian military personnel and air defense systems in the Sumy region. 1 243 7 Previously in trend: Disclosure of collaborators Detention of UOC-MP clerics Search for traitors
Abbot of UOC-MP monastery Vorzelskyi, who was found to be running underground school, fled Ukraine after media investigation The abbot of the "Holy Protection Holosiivska Pustyn" Monastery, Archbishop Isaakii Vorzelskyi (Fedir Pylypovych Andronik), likely left Ukraine the day after media reports about an underground school operating on the grounds of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate monastery... 10 137 70 Previously in trend: Underground UOC-MP school in Kyiv
Investigation has been launched into facts published by media regarding underground school on territory of monastery in Kyiv, - Office of Prosecutor General. PHOTO Under the procedural guidance of juvenile prosecutors from the Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office, investigators from the Main Directorate of the Security Service of Ukraine in Kyiv and Kyiv Region have launched a pre-trial investigation under Part 1 of Article 436-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine... 5 630 34 Previously in trend: Underground UOC-MP school in Kyiv
Underground school at UOC MP site in Kyiv teaches children "Russian world" principles - media. PHOTOS (updated) Since February 2025, an illegal school has been operating at the UOC MP monastery "Holosiivska Pustyn" in Kyiv, where children are taught using Soviet textbooks, shown Russian films and taught Russian. 15 204 150
Almost 8 thousand churches of UOC-MP continue to operate in Ukraine - OpenDataBot. INFOGRAPHICS There are still more than 7,800 churches of the Moscow Patriarchate operating in Ukraine. Most of them are located in the Dnipropetrovsk, Vinnytsia, and Zakarpattia regions. 3 295 51 Previously in trend: UOC ties to ROC
Approach to status of Russian language and UOC-MP to be determined by EU legislation, - Zelenskyy In accordance with Ukraine's future membership in the European Union, the approach to the status of the Russian language and the activities of the UOC-MP, as demanded by the Russian Federation in the peace deal, will be determined by European legislation and international law. 5 386 47 Previously in trend: Russian language in Ukraine
Protopriest of UOC-MP adjusted Russian strikes on Sumy region, - SSU. PHOTO The rector of a church of the Sumy Diocese of the UOC-MP, who was an adjuster for the Russian GRU, was detained in Sumy region. 4 400 24 Previously in trend: Detention of adjusters
State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience files lawsuit to liquidate UOC-MP The State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) has filed a lawsuit seeking the liquidation of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP). 3 530 23 Previously in trend: UOC ties to ROC
UOC-MP recognized as affiliated with ROC – DESS The State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) has recognized the Kyiv Metropolis of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) as affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church. 8 416 56 Previously in trend: UOC ties to ROC
Fighting "agents in robes" is separate area of work, - Maliuk Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia, the SSU has opened 174 criminal proceedings against priests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. 2 013 13 Previously in trend: Detention of UOC-MP clerics SSU cases against priests of
UOC-MP cleric exposed for "privatizing" church and property worth over UAH 7 million in Kyiv region – SSU. PHOTOS The Security Service and the National Police exposed a cleric of the UOC-MP on the illegal alienation of a church in the Kyiv region. 5 458 26 Previously in trend: Detention of UOC-MP clerics
He spied for FSB on Ukrainian Armed Forces positions in Donetsk region: UOC-MP cleric detained, - SSU. PHOTOS SSU CI detained another FSB agent in Donetsk region. He was a 58-year-old archpriest of the Pokrovsk vicariate of the UOC (MP), who was adjusting Russian strikes against Ukrainian defenders. 2 329 13 Previously in trend: spying in favor of Russia
Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia: St. Andrew’s Cathedral of UOC-MP damaged. PHOTOS On Saturday, 18 January, Russian invaders launched rocket attacks on Zaporizhzhia. The attack severely damaged St Andrew's Cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP). 5 446 29
MFA responds to UN criticism of Ukraine’s religious policy: Accusations distort reality The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine rejects the conclusions of the report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the "insufficient justification" for the dissolution of religious organizations, in particular the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow... 5 630 40
UN criticises Ukraine’s religious policy: allegedly failed to prove legality of UOC-MP ban The UN criticises Ukraine for allegedly not providing "sufficient justification" for the dissolution of religious organisations, including the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. 16 451 122
UOC-MP archpriest praised Putin and waited for occupation of Vinnytsia region: SSU sentences him to 5 years in prison The rector of the church of the Vinnytsia Diocese of the UOC-MP, who justified Russian aggression against Ukraine, was sentenced to 5 years in prison. 1 890 20
Praised Putin and heroized Russian occupiers: SSU exposes UOC-MP cleric in Odesa. PHOTO The SBU documented anti-Ukrainian activities by the rector of a church in the Odesa diocese of the UOC (MP). The cleric justified Russia's war against Ukraine and incited religious hatred. 2 595 22
"Time of those who sanctify terror is over," Zelenskyy on UOC-MP. VIDEO President Zelenskyy said that Ukraine would continue its dialogue with the church and religious communities, but that the UOC-MP was no longer part of this process, as its influence had ended. 8 615 87
UOC-MP cleric in Zhytomyr region served suspicion notice for justifying enemy and imposing pro-Russian views on parishioners - SSU. PHOTO The Security Service has collected evidence of anti-Ukrainian activities of a cleric of the Ovruch-Korosten Diocese of the UOC-MP in Zhytomyr region. 2 525 13
OCU about fight in cathedral in Cherkasy: Deliberate provocation of those who wanted to ’create picture’ for Russian propaganda The OCU believes that the conflict on the territory of St. Michael's Cathedral in Cherkasy between groups of citizens is a deliberate provocation by certain individuals to "create a picture" for Russian propaganda. 3 641 39
Fight between supporters of OCU and UOC-MP in cathedral in Cherkasy: Criminal proceedings have been initiated - police. PHOTOS Police in Cherkasy region have opened a criminal investigation into hooliganism after a fight broke out between supporters of the OCU and believers of the Russian Orthodox Church near St Michael's Cathedral in Cherkasy. 12 147 94
Supporters of Russian Orthodox Church seize St. Michael’s Cathedral in Cherkasy: Police are documenting circumstances of conflict Supporters of the Russian Orthodox Church stormed St. Michael's Cathedral in Cherkasy and caused a mess there. The police are identifying all the participants in the incident. 8 959 82
Russia wants Trump to "repeal" Ukraine’s laws on language and UOC-MP if he wins US election Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia would "welcome any initiatives" to end the war in Ukraine from Republican Donald Trump if he wins the US presidential election. Russia's leadership wants Trump to get two Ukrainian laws repealed. 17 865 123
He justified Russia’s war against Ukraine: SSU serves notice of suspicion to Archimandrite Volodymyr of UOC-MP monastery in Kyiv. PHOTO (updated) The Security Service documented the information and subversive activities of another representative of the UOC-MP, who acted in favor of Russia. This is the archimandrite of a monastery in Kyiv. 3 066 12
SSU conducts searches in Holy Vvedensky Monastery of UOC MP in Kyiv - sources. PHOTO The SSU continues to cleanse Ukraine of Moscow's agents in rasons. According to our information, since the morning of 18 September, SSU operatives have been conducting searches at the Holy Vvedensky Monastery of the UOC-MP. 4 105 18
Zelenskyy on Vatican’s statement on ban of UOC-MP: Influence of Russian information The negative reaction of the Vatican to the Ukrainian law banning the activities of religious organisations associated with the Russian Federation in Ukraine indicates the need to strengthen Ukraine's work in the global information space abroad. 3 678 19
"Servant of people" Dmytruk, who defended UOC-MP, fled Ukraine - mass media MP Artem Dmytruk, elected from the Servant of the People party (now unaffiliated), who defended the UOC-MP in Ukraine, illegally left the country. 32 635 243
"Churches cannot be touched": Pope Francis reacts to ban on UOC-MP in Ukraine On Sunday, 25 August, Pope Francis said that the Ukrainian law banning the activities of religious organisations linked to Russia in Ukraine allegedly prohibits people from praying "in the church they consider their own". The pontiff called for no church to be banned. 20 968 279
Zelenskyy signed law banning UOC-MP in Ukraine On Saturday, 24 August, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a law banning the activities of religious organizations associated with the Russian Federation in Ukraine. 8 169 77
Cleric of UOC (MP) from Luhansk region Hutenko was notified of suspicion for supply of jewelry products to Russian Federation - SSU The Security Service of Ukraine reported on absentee suspicion of a cleric-jeweler of the UOC (MP) from the Luhansk region, who sells gold products to Russia. 2 059 10
"Servant of People" Poturaiev: It is not enough for Metropolitan Onufriy to withdraw from the ROC Synod to fulfill requirements of law The head of the UOC-MP, Metropolitan Onufriy, cannot simply withdraw from the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church in order to comply with the law banning religious organisations associated with the Russian Federation. 9 263 41
Epiphanius is ready for dialogue with Onufriy: We call on all Orthodox in Ukraine to reject "Russian yoke" Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine Epiphanius has declared his readiness for dialogue with Metropolitan Onufriy of the UOC-MP. 4 578 32
He praised Putin and called for support for ruscists: SSU detains UOC-MP priest in Vinnytsia region A priest of the Kalynivka Deanery of the UOC-MP in Vinnytsia region justified Russian aggression against Ukraine and expected the arrival of the occupiers in the region. 4 307 37
Leshchenko equates Zelenskyy with Volodymyr the Great After the Verkhovna Rada voted to ban the Russian Church in Ukraine, Advisor to the Head of the Presidential Office Serhii Leshchenko equated Volodymyr Zelenskyy with Prince Volodymyr the Great. 22 018 213
Rada adopts bill to ban UOC-MP The Verkhovna Rada adopted in the second reading the draft law "On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine on the Activities of Religious Organisations in Ukraine", which bans the activities of religious organisations associated with the Russian Federation. 23 941 143
Ministry of Defense has revealed illegal registration of church on territory of military unit in Kyiv. Owner is affiliated with UOC-MP On the territory of one of the military units in Kyiv, a church whose owner is affiliated with the UOC-MP was registered. 4 989 11
Verkhovna Rada has enough votes to ban UOC-MP, - "servant of people" Poturaev The Verkhovna Rada has the necessary number of votes to adopt the Law "On the Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Field of Activities of Religious Organisations", which bans the activities of religious organisations associated with the Russian Federation. 3 301 20
Draft law to guarantee that there will be no manipulation of Ukrainian church from Moscow is proposed to Rada - Zelenskyy. VIDEO President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's address to Ukrainians at the end of the 905th day of the war with Russia. 7 954 61 Previously in trend: War
Poturaiev: Servant of People ready to give 150 votes to ban UOC-MP The Servant of the People faction will have at least 150 votes for a draft law that would ban the activities of the UOC-MP in Ukraine. 5 095 25
UOC-MP continues illegal construction on territory of Pochaiv Lavra - Director of conservation area Ilchyshyn The monastery of the Moscow Patriarchate in the Holy Dormition Pochaiv Lavra continued unauthorized construction immediately after the inspection conducted by the commission of the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy. 3 233 28
Priest of UOC MP and employee of "Ukrzaliznytsia" were preparing attack on echelons of AFU of Kharkiv region - SSU. VIDEO+PHOTOS Two Russian military intelligence agents who were preparing to fire at Ukrainian Armed Forces trains were detained. The detainees include a Russian citizen and a priest of the UOC-MP. 8 790 40 Previously in trend: War
"Servant of people" Poturaiev: Draft law on banning UOC-MP will be considered at next session of Verkhovna Rada At the next meeting of the Verkhovna Rada, parliamentarians will consider a draft law to ban the UOC-MP. 3 326 49
UOC-MP has no right to be on territory of Yeletskyi Monastery in Chernihiv, - court of appeal The Northern Economic Court of Appeal confirmed that the administration of the Chernihiv Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has no legal grounds to be on the territory of the Yeletskyi Monastery. 2 237 17
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