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The destruction of the 19th-century Church of the Nativity in Yunakivka by Russian forces underlines the devastating impact of conflict on religious sites in Ukraine. This event is part of a broader pattern, with over 500 churches destroyed since the invasion began, according to President Zelenskyy. Despite the destruction, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church remains a focus of controversy, with the UOC-MP's affiliation with the Russian Orthodox Church being a key issue. This has led to debates on church independence and allegations of manipulation by Moscow. As churches are damaged, faith communities strive to maintain spiritual cohesion amidst adversity.
How many churches have been destroyed in Ukraine since the war began?
Since the start of the full-scale invasion, over 500 churches, mosques, temples, and other religious buildings have been destroyed or severely damaged by Russian military actions across Ukraine. This destruction highlights the ongoing threat to cultural and religious heritage in the region.
Are there still UOC-MP churches operating in Ukraine during the war?
Yes, there are still more than 7,800 Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate churches operating in Ukraine. Despite the ongoing conflict and political controversies surrounding the UOC-MP's ties to the Russian Orthodox Church, these religious institutions continue their activities in various regions.
What actions have Polish authorities taken regarding damage to Ukrainian churches?
After incidents such as the cutting down of the cross from the Ukrainian church in Legnica, Polish authorities, represented by the embassy, have demanded thorough investigations. These acts have raised concerns about security for Ukrainian religious sites abroad amidst heightened tensions.
What is the Ukrainian government's stance on the independence of the UOC?
The Ukrainian government is actively working to ensure the spiritual independence of the country from Moscow's influence. This includes legislative efforts suggested by President Zelenskyy to prevent manipulation and ensure transparency within religious settings affiliated with the Moscow Patriarchate.
How does Russia's military strategy impact religious sites in Ukraine?
Russia's military operations have led to the systematic targeting and destruction of religious sites in Ukraine. This strategy not only damages cultural heritage but also aims to undermine community morale. Such actions have been condemned globally as violations of religious freedom and cultural rights.
What are the reasons behind the controversies involving the UOC-MP?
The UOC-MP's recognition as affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church has sparked controversies in Ukraine. This affiliation is seen as a channel for Russian influence, leading to societal and political debate about the church's role and its impact on Ukraine's national security and cultural identity.
How has the conflict affected interfaith relations in Ukraine?
The ongoing conflict has strained interfaith relations, with tensions arising between different denominations. Provocations at religious sites and the manipulation of religious symbols for propaganda have exacerbated distrust. Yet, many faith communities strive for unity and peace amidst these challenges.
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Russians strike church in Kramatorsk: Dome catches fire, blaze spreads over 140 square metres – SES. PHOTO Russian forces struck Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region on 11 August, hitting a church building. The attack caused the church’s dome to catch fire. 1 640 8 Previously in trend: Church arson
Ruscists destroy 19th-century church in Yunakivka, Sumy Oblast In Yunakivka, Sumy Oblast, Russian occupiers destroyed the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, built in 1806. 2 263 13 Previously in trend: Shelling of Sumy region
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. 3 236 51 Previously in trend: UOC ties to ROC
Unknown persons cut down cross from Ukrainian church in Poland: embassy demands investigation. PHOTO In the Polish city of Legnica, unknown persons damaged the roof and cut off the cross from the main dome of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 5 042 57 Previously in trend: Ukrainian church damaged in Poland
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. 8 377 56 Previously in trend: UOC ties to ROC
Archbishop of Alaska apologizes for meeting with Putin: I deeply regret scandal provoked Archbishop Alexy of Sitka and Alaska (Orthodox Church in America), who met with dictator Vladimir Putin during his visit to Anchorage, apologized for this. 9 621 27 Previously in trend: Meeting between Trump and Putin
Russian shelling damages church of UOC in Shostka. PHOTOS On the night of 28 April, Russians launched an air strike on the city of Shostka, Sumy region. 2 178 12 Previously in trend: UAVs attack on the Sumy region
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. 5 412 26 Previously in trend: Detention of UOC-MP clerics
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). 5 410 29
"Solidarity Bell" with Ukraine rang at Washington National Cathedral. PHOTOS A festive service was held at the Washington National Cathedral to mark the beginning of the year. Blessings were read for Ukraine and a symbolic bell made from spent ammunition was rung. 1 367 1 Previously in trend: War
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. 3 601 39
Russians attack church in Donetsk region and attack rescuers who came to extinguish fire - SES. PHOTOS In Novoekonomichne in Donetsk region, the enemy destroyed a religious building - a local church. 1 524 5 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War
More than 500 churches have been destroyed by Russian Federation since beginning of full-scale invasion - Zelenskyy. VIDEO Russian troops have already destroyed more than 500 churches, houses of prayer, and other religious buildings since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation. 1 569 6 Previously in trend: War
Czech Parliament calls on intelligence agencies to check for Russian influence in country’s Orthodox churches Pavel Fischer, chairman of the Czech Senate's security committee, believes that the government should instruct the security services to investigate the threat posed by the country's Orthodox churches. He said that they could be used for Russian influence operations. 2 544 16
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. 4 938 11
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. 7 918 61 Previously in trend: War
Church for military is opened in Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. PHOTOS A church for military personnel was opened in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. 3 680 10
Occupants strike church in Kherson region with drones. PHOTOS On the afternoon of 1 July, Russians carried out three drone strikes on the Orthodox Holy Archangel Michael Church in Zmiivka, Beryslav district, Kherson region. 1 693 3 Previously in trend: War
500 churches damaged or destroyed since beginning of full-scale war, - Yelenskyi The head of the State Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience, Viktor Yelenskyi, says that 500 religious buildings have been damaged or destroyed since the start of the full-scale war. 636 10
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"). 10 727 45
Five more cultural heritage sites of Ukraine receive enhanced protection from UNESCO Another 5 Ukrainian sites, located in Odesa, Chernihiv, Lviv and Zakarpattia regions, have been added to the UNESCO International List of Cultural Property under Enhanced Protection. 2 362 4
In Zolota Balka, religious building, shop and cars were damaged as result of dropping of explosives from drone. PHOTOS Today, November 9, the occupiers dropped explosives from a drone on Zolota Balka in the Kherson region. 1 948 0
In center of Moscow, icon of Mother of God, which was illegally taken out of Donbas, was stolen. VIDEO An icon of the Mother of God of Bogolyubov was stolen in Moscow. Before moving to Russia, the icon was in a church in Khartsyzsk, Donetsk region. The icon was stolen from the church, which is located 350 metres from the FSB in Lubyanka. 12 053 49
21 shots from a tank: mercenaries of "Wagner" PMC destroyed Holy Annunciation Church of UOC (MP) in Bakhmut. VIDEO Mercenaries of the "Wagner" PMC in Bakhmut destroyed the Church of the Holy Annunciation, in which the priests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (MP) conducted services. 25 148 52 Previously in trend: War
Today, a step has been taken to protect our society from cynical Moscow’s manipulation of religion, - Zelensky. VIDEO President Volodymyr Zelensky’s address to the citizens of Ukraine at the end of the 399th day of the war with Russia. 8 257 67 Previously in trend: War
SSU arrests pro-Moscow "church blogger" in Transcarpathia. PHOTOS Ukraine’s Security Service has served a notice of suspicion to a so-called "church blogger" of UOC-MP who incited inter-confessional hatred and called Orthodox Church of Ukraine a sectarian illegal organization. 10 524 44
Russian Federation conducts searches and detains representatives of various religious denominations in occupied territories, - Center of National Resistance Russian invaders continue to detain representatives of various religious denominations in occupied Ukrainian territories. 1 866 1
Polish Orthodox Church sent greetings to Kirill. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland called it "fatal" The head of the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church (PAOC), Metropolitan Sava of Warsaw and All Poland, sent a congratulatory letter to the head of the Russian Orthodox Church Kirill Gundyaev on the occasion of the enthronement anniversary. The Polish MFA criticized the metropolitan’s actions. 16 220 42
Epiphanius in Lavra: we did not want this war, but enemy treacherously broke peace and invaded our land Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), Metropolitan Epiphany, at the divine service in the Assumption Cathedral of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, expressed confidence in Ukraine’s victory in the war with the Russian Federation. 6 191 52
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. 15 159 42
On January 7, provocations with explosions of churches are possible in occupied Donetsk, - InformNapalm The purpose of Putin’s "truce" may be a bloody terrorist attack with bombing of churches on Christmas. 3 141 22
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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. 8 169 40 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War
We will ensure spiritual independence of our state, - Zelensky. VIDEO In his traditional address to Ukrainians on December 1, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that "spiritual independence" would be ensured in the state. 7 670 68
Russia has no place in UNESCO, - Zelensky reacted to shelling of Svyatohirska Lavra. VIDEO President Volodymyr Zelensky is convinced that every church burned by Russia in Ukraine, every school blown up and every memorial destroyed prove that Russia has no place in UNESCO. 6 090 20
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Russia promises provocations with numerous victims on Easter night in churches of south and east of Ukraine Russian troops promise provocations in churches during the celebration of Easter by Ukrainians. However, traditionally, the Russian side accuses Ukraine of preparing such provocations. 14 795 38 Previously in trend: War
Occupiers shot people right in church in Chernihiv region. VIDEO The State Emergency Service has released footage of the Russian occupiers shooting people in the church. 18 013 20 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War
More than half of Ukrainians support ban of Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate In Ukraine, there is growing support for the severance of ties between the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) and the Russian Orthodox Church. At the same time, more than half of respondents (51%) believe that the state should completely ban its activities in Ukraine. 9 345 94 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War
Another 32 Ministers Checked For Coronavirus In Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra - Klitschko Another 32 ministers are being checked for coronavirus in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. 2 857 17 Previously in trend: Anti-epidemic measures and restrictions
320 Moscow Patriarchate parishes joined OCU after Tomos, - Poroshenko Since the Tomos of Autocephaly was granted to Ukraine, 320 parishes have joined Ukraine's independent Orthodox Church. 7 096 111 Previously in trend: Creation of local church
Verkhovna Rada defines conversion mechanism for religious communities Verkhovna Rada has adopted the draft law No. 4128-d defining the conversion mechanism for religious communities. 17 607 118 Previously in trend: Creation of local church
Kyiv-based St Andrew’s Church to host first Hierarchical Liturgy of Patriarchal Stauropegia today The first Hierarchical Liturgy of Patriarchal Stauropegia will be held at St Andrew’s Church in Kyiv on Dec. 13. 9 387 125 Previously in trend: Creation of local church
Ukraine's Church Unity Council to be held Dec. 15, President Poroshenko says President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko says the unification council of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church will be held on Dec. 15, 2018. 14 912 203 Previously in trend: Creation of local church
Ecumenical Patriarchate says Holy Council of Ukraine's Orthodox Church to be held in December The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople said the Holy Council of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine had been scheduled for December 2018. 13 488 167 Previously in trend: Creation of local church
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