www.byzcath.org Forums News & Events Church News Zelenskiy Signs Law Banning Russian Orthodox Church In Ukraine

https://www.rferl.org/amp/ukraine-russia-orthodox-religion-ban/33091200.html

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has signed into law legislation banning religious organizations linked to the Russian Orthodox Church from operating in Ukraine.

The Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) is "today taking a step toward liberation from Moscow's devils," Zelenskiy said.

I strongly disagree with this. Freedom of religion must be respected. Yes, there are some (many?) occasions of violence by MP clergy and people who support Russian victory over Ukraine. It is right that Ukraine root this out, but it must do so while respecting the right of these believers to worship as they desire.

Dear Friends,

Yes, I agree that freedom of religion must always be respected. The question is - what does this new law really say.

This is the issue - the new law bans organizations connected to the Moscow patriarchate from operating in Ukraine but at the same time - where is the Moscow patriarchate in Ukraine currently? In fact, there is NO formal Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine or Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the Moscow patriarchate currently . . .

No one has been stronger in condemning the Moscow patriarchate, at least on the verbal level, than Metropolitan Onufrij of Kyiv who had especially harsh words for patriarch Kirill for the way he approved of and blessed the bloodshed in Ukraine committed by the Russian army - even going so far as to call it a "holy war . . ."

What this new law seeks to have addressed is the actual commitment of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to separation from Moscow - especially since it has formally severe its ties to that church leader (OCA priests and one bishop have told me that patriarch Kirill has, de facto, excommunicated himself from the Orthodox Church as a result of his blessing of and support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine).

Priests of the (again de facto uncanonical) Ukrainian Orthodox Church which affirms its independence of Moscow have been calling on their bishops to specifically call a Synod to formally and unequivocally sever its ties with Moscow and unite with the OCU to form ONE Orthodox Church in Ukraine have been met with deaf ears. Metropolitan Onufrij continues to commemorate patriarch Kirill and desplay prominently his portrait while the Russian World impertial ideology continues to be preached from UOC pulpits - along with the distribution of political literature (which I have seen and read) in ... UOC parishes. Not to mention the presence of spies in clerial garb at the Kyivan Caves Lavra and elsewhere.

As the UGCC Patriarch has said this law is not about banning any church, but about ensuring the freedom of the Church from state control and Russia's weaponization of the Moscow patriarchate to further its own aims.

So crticis of this law should take a deep breath and realize that there is currently NO ROC in Ukrainian currently and the UOC that was formerly under the MP has affirmed its autonomy and separation from it on the grounds that the MP has blessed bloodshed and the murder of innocents.

Rather than criticize this acttion, critics should join with Metropolitan Onufrij in condemning the MP and considering it, as so many already do, cut off from Christ our Lord, God and Saviour.

Alex

Thank you very much, Orthodox Catholic, for explaining this. I think there's a lot of misunderstanding, especially from westerners, about what's really going on. Also, I think a lot of people are confused, because they keep saying "The Orthodox Church is banned in Ukraine" (I highly doubt they banned the largest religious group in Ukraine). I really wish people would do more research on this. (Also, it's important to note that Russia doesn't exactly have religious freedom). Anyway, I think people need to learn the difference between the UOC-MP and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.