The legislative body in Kiev, Ukraine, decides to prohibit the Russian Orthodox Church.
For a legislative measure to become law in Ukraine, it necessitates the President's signature, which is held by Volodymyr Zelensky. Following the vote in the Rada, Zelensky asserted that the ban would bolster the "spiritual autonomy" of the nation. He announced an impending dialogue with the Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew.
Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian Presidential Administration, outlined on Telegram that there would be no "Moscow Church" in Ukraine. Iryna Gerashchenko, an MP, labeled the decision as "significant" and declared it to be a matter of "national security, not religion."
The draft mandates religious organizations to disconnect from Russia by a specified date. Enacting this law could take numerous years.
The Russian Foreign Ministry denounced the decision as a "severe setback for the entire Orthodox community." Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson, alleged that Ukraine sought to "eradicate genuine Orthodoxy."
The Russian Orthodox Church's spokesperson, Vladimir Legoyda, labeled it as an "unlawful action and a blatant infringement of the fundamental principles of religious liberty and human rights." He forewarned of potential "extreme physical harm to millions of worshippers" due to the execution of this law.
Patriarch Kirill expressed concern during a visit to the Solovki Monastery, stating, "this is a challenging time when many have turned against us, not because we are wrong, but merely because we are distinct."
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which maintains ties with the Moscow Patriarchate, severed ties following the commencement of the Russian invasion in 2022. Several MPs charge its clergy with ongoing collaboration with Russian clergy and reliance upon Russia. Conversely, the Orthodox Church in Russia supports the Kremlin and the conflict against Ukraine.
Since the onset of the Russian invasion in February 2022, the Ukrainian Security Service SBU has initiated criminal proceedings against over 100 priests affiliated with the Moscow-backed church, with 26 convictions. Specific charges were not disclosed.
Metropolitan Kliment, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, assured Suspilne on Tuesday that the Church has "constantly adhered to the law" and will strive to "uphold the constitutional right to religious freedom and conscience."
The Russia-aligned Ukrainian Orthodox Church was previously the most prominent church in Ukraine, a nation with a substantial Orthodox populace. Lately, however, it has lost many followers, and an independent faction has emerged. According to media reports, the church connected to the Moscow Patriarchate still maintains approximately 9,000 communities.
The decision to ban ties with Russian religious organizations could potentially impact the local Ukrainian Church associated with Moscow, affecting its spiritual ties with the Patriarchate of Constantinople. During the church service at the Church, the congregation discussed the implications of the legislative measure on their spiritual autonomy.
