Copyright © 2024 Euromaidanpress.com

The work of Euromaidan Press is supported by the International Renaissance Foundation

When referencing our materials, please include an active hyperlink to the Euromaidan Press material and a maximum 500-character extract of the story. To reprint anything longer, written permission must be acquired from [email protected].

Privacy and Cookie Policies.

Official says majority of Ukrainians are against Russian-affiliated church in Ukraine

Police and Ukraine’s Security Service officers entering a Moscow Patriarchate church. Photo: SBU
Official says majority of Ukrainians are against Russian-affiliated church in Ukraine

More than 80% of Ukrainians want a complete ban of the Moscow-affiliated Orthodox Church in Ukraine, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Cultural Policy of the Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy of the Ukrainian Parliament, Mykola Kniazhytskyi, claimed, as per UkrInform.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Security Service has been conducting searches in the churches of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC MP) and documented a number of violations there, including breaching of rent terms and links with Russian Security Service.

For instance, Metropolitan Pavlo (Petro Lebid) dubbed by Ukrainian media as “Pasha Mercedes” for his fondness for luxury cars and regular violations of traffic rules, was charged with fomenting religious enmity, justifying and denying Russian armed aggression against Ukraine after these searches.

SBU charges Moscow-linked Kyiv monastery abbot with inciting religious hatred and denying Russian aggression

However, Ukraine hasn’t imposed a full ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate.

“I am absolutely convinced that we should ban the activities of the Russian church (UOC MP) in Ukraine. More than 80% of Ukrainian citizens want to ban the Russian church, and everything must be done to ensure that there is a vote on this (in the Verkhovna Rada).

There are many politicians who do not really realize what a threat to national security the Russian church poses. Those who do not want to vote must be convinced that they are obliged to do so and fulfill the will of the people,” Kiazhytskyi said.

Earlier, religious expert Roman Lunkin said the Kremlin made defending the Moscow Patriarchate a key part of Russian foreign policy.

Kremlin has made defending Moscow Patriarchate key part of Russian foreign policy, Russian expert says

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.  We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support. Become a Patron!

To suggest a correction or clarification, write to us here

You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter

Please leave your suggestions or corrections here



    Euromaidan Press

    We are an independent media outlet that relies solely on advertising revenue to sustain itself. We do not endorse or promote any products or services for financial gain. Therefore, we kindly ask for your support by disabling your ad blocker. Your assistance helps us continue providing quality content. Thank you!

    Related Posts