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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.
Photo 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
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
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
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
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
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. 2 330 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
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
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
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
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. 3 068 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. 4 106 18
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
SSU serves notice of suspicion to Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol of UOC-MP. PHOTOS Metropolitan Luke (Andriy Kovalenko in peace) of the UOC-MP, who provoked religious hatred, was served with a notice of suspicion. 2 764 8
SSU exposes rector of UOC-MP church in Khmelnytskyi region who praised Putin to parishioners. PHOTO The Security Service documented subversive activities by the rector of the church of the Shepetivka Diocese of the UOC (MP) in the Khmelnytskyi region. The cleric supported the aggressive war against Ukraine and incited religious hatred. 4 027 21
SSU exposes FSB agents who tried to destabilise situation in Ukraine under guise of UOC-MP. VIDEO&PHOTOS The SSU exposed an agent group of the Russian Federal Security Service that was "dispersing" pro-Kremlin narratives and inciting religious hatred in Ukraine. 8 466 38 Previously in trend: War
Suspicion of cleric of UOC-MP in Cherkasy region, who heroized Ruscists, was reported - SSU. PHOTO The Security Service documented the subversive activities of the Metropolitan Archpriest of the Cherkasy Diocese of the UOC (MP), who justified Russia’s armed aggression. 2 467 11
UOC (MP) Metropolitan Povorozniuk, who blessed "accession" of Luhansk to Russian Federation, was informed of suspicion - SSU. PHOTO The Security Service has collected evidence against the sanctioned Metropolitan of the Luhansk Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate), Vasyl Povorozniuk, who is cooperating with the Russian invaders in the temporarily occupied city. 3 788 15
Ex-servant of UOC-MP, who justified occupation of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, is served suspicion notice - SSU. PHOTOS The former novice of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra conducted information and subversive activities in favour of the Russian Federation. 2 396 8 Previously in trend: War
Russian Orthodox Church released "Patriarchal Calendar" with UOC-MP bishops. PHOTO The Russian Orthodox Church released the Patriarchal Calendar, which includes all the bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church ("Moscow Patriarchate"). 10 783 45
Church chorister of UOC MP was detained, who pointed enemy rockets at positions of AFU near Zaporizhzhia, - SSU. PHOTOS The Security Service of Ukraine detained another supporter of racism, who was adjusting Russian air attacks on Zaporizhzhia and expected the full occupation of the region. According to the investigation, the detainee was a church chorister and the wife of the rector of a local UOC-MP church. 7 666 23
SSU conducts searches in the Pochaiv Lavra: Clergymen of the UOC-MP questioned the existence of Ukraine as a sovereign state apart from the Russian Federation. PHOTOS The Security Service is conducting investigative actions on the territory of the Pochaiv Dormition Monastery of the UOC (MP) on the fact that the monastery’s leadership is involved in inciting national hatred and enmity. 8 471 36
UOC MP priest bit military man in center of Chernihiv. PHOTOS A UOC MP priest who came to pick up things from the closed-down Transfiguration Cathedral in the center of Chernihiv got into a fight and bit a military man guarding the church. 12 358 73
SSU checks two churches of UOC-MP in Zakarpattia, where "Russian world" was propagated - journalist Hlahola. PHOTO SSU inspects two UOC-MP temples in Zakarpattia, which propagated "Russian peace". 3 202 12
Hundreds of people came to UOC-MP church in Khmelnytskyi, where a soldier was beaten. PHOTOS In city of Khmelnytsky, about 500 people gathered for a demonstration in front of a temple of Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate after a military officer was beaten there. Representatives of local regional administration asked to reduce tension level and let relevant services resolve this conflict. 29 146 119
UOC MP held last service in Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. PHOTOS On Sunday, March 26, the UOC (Moscow Patriarchate) held a service in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, a few days before the monks of the UOC MP are to leave all premises of the shrine. 24 687 120
Odesa was attacked by X-59 missiles - 2 were shot down by air defense, one hit UOC-MP building, four people were injured - UC "South". PHOTOS At least three missiles were fired at Odesa by Russian occupants this evening. Some of them were shot down by air defense forces. 19 480 106 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War
Metropolitan of Vinnytsia Diocese of UOC (MP) will stand trial for justifying Russian armed aggression, - SSU. PHOTOS The Security Service collected indisputable evidence of the guilt of the head of the diocese of the UOC (MP) in the Vinnytsia region, who publicly justified Russian armed aggression against Ukraine. 7 805 23 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine
Searches in dioceses of UOC MP in 4 regions: propaganda leaflets of Medvedchuk association, Russian "tricolors", and former occupiers’ warehouses were discovered, - SSU. PHOTOS The Security Service completed counterintelligence (security) measures at the facilities of the UOC (MP) in the Kherson, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, and Rivne regions. 15 178 42
SSU conducts search in cathedral of UOC MP in Lviv. PHOTOS The SSU conducts searches in the Cathedral of the Holy Great Martyr George the Victorious of the UOC in Lviv. 5 714 29 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine
SSU finds libraries with pro-Kremlin literature, cash and dry rations of Russian army in Kharkiv diocese of UOC-MP. PHOTOS Security Service has completed counterintelligence (security) measures at UOC (MP) facilities in Kharkiv region. 10 854 43 Previously in trend: War
SSU conducts counterintelligence measures at facilities of UOC MP in Kharkiv region. PHOTOS Employees of the Security Service of Ukraine conduct counter-intelligence (security) measures at the facilities of the UOC (MP) in the Kharkiv region. 4 298 24 Previously in trend: War
SSU conducts security measures in two monasteries and hermitages of UOC MP in Zhytomyr region. PHOTOS Employees of the Security Service of Ukraine conduct counter-intelligence (security) measures at the facilities of the UOC MP in Zhytomyr region. 3 482 9 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine
SSU conducts security measures at facilities of UOC MP in three regions. PHOTOS The Security Service of Ukraine conducts counter-intelligence (security) measures at the facilities of the UOC (MP) in the Cherkasy, Volyn, and Kherson regions. 5 827 17
SSU conducts security measures at facilities of UOC MP in Poltava region. PHOTOS Employees of the Security Service of Ukraine conduct counter-intelligence (security) measures at the facilities of the UOC MP in the Poltava region. 4 697 13
SSU conducts security measures at UOC (MP) facilities in 3 regions of Ukraine. PHOTOS Employees of the Security Service of Ukraine are conducting counterintelligence (security) measures at the facilities of the UOC (MP) in Zhytomyr, Rivne and Transcarpathian regions. 8 190 40 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War
Priest of Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, at whose service pro-Russian songs were sung, was informed of suspicion, - SSU. PHOTOS Employees of the Security Service of Ukraine reported suspicion to the organizers of the service, during which "Russian peace" was praised in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra 7 133 43 Previously in trend: War
SSU conducts security measures in Mukachevo diocese of UOC MP. PHOTOS The Security Service of Ukraine conducts counter-intelligence (security) measures on the territory of one of the monasteries of the Mukachevo Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (MP) in Transcarpathia. 6 416 23 Previously in trend: War
SSU found propaganda materials denying existence of Ukraine in facilities of UOC MP in Ternopil region and Prykarpattia. PHOTOS Employees of the SSU and the National Police found a large number of anti-Ukrainian materials during security measures on the territory of the Pochaiv Theological Seminary and the Ivano-Frankivsk Eparchy of the UOC (MP). 10 657 56 Previously in trend: War
SSU caught secretary of Chernivtsi diocese of UOC MP in bed with guy from local choir, - media. PHOTOS During the search of the premises of the UOC MP in Bukovyna, the SSU jumped in at the moment of physical intimacy between Archimandrite Nikita and a boy who sings in the local choir. 80 752 319
SSU conducted searches in premises of UOC MP in Bukovyna: they found manuals from Moscow, Russian citizenship and identity cards of occupiers. PHOTOS The SSU conducted counter-intelligence measures on the territory of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Diocese of the UOC (MP). Law enforcement officers found documents confirming the presence of Russian citizenship in the leadership of diocesan structures. 10 548 53
Christianization of Kievan Rus-Ukraine anniversary: Moscow Patriarchate Orthodox Church-goers marched towards Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra after public prayer. VIDEO&PHOTOS. VIDEO&PHOTOS Security measures were strengthened in downtown Kyiv over celebration of the anniversary of the Christianization of Kievan Rus-Ukraine and the procession of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate dedicated to it. The Moscow Patriarchate church-goers from all around Ukraine gathered in the Saint Volodymyr Hill Park to take part in the solemn church service held by the Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) Onufry. 67 746 796
Poroshenko: Autocephaly is one of pillars of Ukrainian state, nation, national security, whole world geopolitics. PHOTOS President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko believes autocephaly is not only an issue of Ukrainian Orthodox Christians but an issue of Ukrainian independence. 83 732 297 Previously in trend: Creation of local church
"Church must be separated from state and, above all, from aggressor one," - Poroshenko believes Ukrainian Orthodox Church to receive autocephaly. PHOTO President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko is confident that the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Holy Synod will grant the Tomos ot Autocephaly to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. 62 400 225
Poroshenko meets with primates of Ukraine's orthodox churches to discuss receiving Tomos of Autocephaly. PHOTOS President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko met with the Primates of the Orthodox Churches of Ukraine and formally accepted the Appeal on granting the Tomos of Autocephaly to the Ukrainian church signed by all the hierarchs who supported this decision to convey it to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. 66 275 229 Previously in trend: Creation of local church
Several thousand people gather at St. Volodymyr Hill in Kyiv, including Opposition Bloc MPs Novinskyi and Shufrych. PHOTOS Several thousand people-members of the religious procession organized by Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate, and clergy gathered at St. Volodymyr Hill in Kyiv at noon. MPs from Opposition Bloc Nestor Shufrych and Vadym Novinskyi also arrived. 108 377 276
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