In a significant move aimed at severing ties with Russia, Ukraine’s parliament has voted to ban the Russian-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church. This decision comes as Kyiv continues to strengthen its independence amidst the ongoing war with Moscow. The move, which has drawn condemnation from Russia, has been years in the making as Ukrainian authorities sought to curb spiritual connections with Russia. The 2022 invasion, which received the endorsement of the powerful Russian Orthodox Church, accelerated this process.
The majority of Ukrainian lawmakers voted in favor of the bill that outlaws religious organizations linked to Russia, primarily impacting the Moscow-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the ban as a boost for the country’s “spiritual independence.” The Russian church, meanwhile, has labeled the move as “illegal.”
The ban stems from a long-standing schism between the Ukrainian and Russian Orthodox Churches, triggered by Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the war in eastern Ukraine. In 2019, the Istanbul-based head of the Eastern Orthodox Church granted a breakaway Ukrainian Orthodox Church, known as the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), autocephaly, or religious independence, from the Moscow Patriarchate.
The bill’s passage has generated mixed reactions. While many Ukrainian politicians have welcomed the move, followers of the UOC have expressed concerns and dismay, fearing the potential closure of their churches.
The Russian Orthodox Church spokesperson, Vladimir Legoida, condemned the vote as “an unlawful act that is the grossest violation of the basic principles of freedom of conscience and human rights.” Meanwhile, in Kyiv, believers gathered outside the Russian-affiliated part of the historic Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery, praying despite its closure to the public.
The impact of the ban remains to be seen, with its implementation potentially taking years. While the decision aims to sever ties with Russia, it has raised concerns about the potential for religious persecution and the impact on the lives of believers within the UOC.
