Government Allegations and Legal Proceedings
The Ukrainian government has declared that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) maintains ties with Moscow despite its formal declaration of independence in 2022, initiating a legal process that could lead to a full ban. The State Service of Ukraine on Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) published findings alleging the UOC’s connection to the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), which was banned in 2024 for supporting Russia’s invasion. The UOC, which denies these claims, faces a court petition to halt its activities, with a final ruling expected within months after potential appeals.
UOC’s Defense and Political Context
The UOC has consistently denounced the Russian invasion and taken symbolic steps to distance itself from Moscow, such as ceasing liturgical commemorations of Patriarch Kirill, who endorsed the war as a "holy war". However, the government asserts that the UOC refused to revise its governing documents or formally object to the ROC’s control of its churches in occupied territories. UOC lawyer Robert Amsterdam accused Kyiv of a politically motivated campaign to eliminate independent institutions, noting the church’s practical efforts to support Ukrainian refugees abroad as evidence of autonomy.
Legal and Humanitarian Implications
If banned, the UOC could lose access to state-owned historic properties, impacting its 8,000 parishes and 10,000 clerics. Criminal cases against individual clergy, including Metropolitan Onufry, whose citizenship was revoked add to pressures. Critics argue the ban disproportionately affects loyal congregations and risks violating religious freedom, though Kyiv frames it as a national security necessity.
International Reactions and Religious Freedom
The move has drawn concern from groups like the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom and the UN, which warn against blanket measures that could punish entire communities for individual actions. Meanwhile, the ROC’s ideological alignment with the Kremlin, exemplified by its "Russian world" doctrine and support for the invasion has intensified global scrutiny of religious soft power.
Historical and Canonical Complexities
The UOC’s historical ties to Moscow date back centuries, but its 2022 independence declaration highlighted a shift amid wartime tensions. The Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), recognized by Constantinople in 2019, competes for legitimacy, though the UOC retains significant followers. The conflict underscores deeper struggles over Ukrainian identity and sovereignty, with religious autonomy intertwined with geopolitical strife.