Today, several dozen cases of collaboration between priests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate and Russian invaders are being considered in court. Some of these priests have been exchanged for Ukrainian prisoners of war, explained Viktor Yelensky, head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethno-politics and Freedom of Conscience, during a briefing, writes UNN.
Details
This is not about the connection of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church with the special services of the Russian Federation. If there is a connection of individual Orthodox priests with Russian special services, or with the occupiers, or facts of collaboration with the occupiers, then these cases are considered separately. And you know that we have several dozen such court cases where clergymen of this church were accused not just of connections, but of cooperation with the occupiers. Some of these priests were exchanged for Ukrainian prisoners of war
He also emphasized that the Russian Orthodox Church has set itself the goal of destroying the Ukrainian state, culture, and identity.
We are talking about the fact that the Ukrainian state does not allow the activities of Russian Orthodox Church structures on the territory of Ukraine. The Russian Orthodox Church has set as its goal the destruction of the Ukrainian state, the destruction of Ukrainian culture, the destruction of Ukrainian identity, and has openly declared this as its goal. It is also difficult to say who else has done so much to infuriate Ukrainians
According to Yelensky, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate is offered to withdraw from the subordination of the Russian Orthodox Church. This does not in any way pressure the conscience of believers, since subordination to the Moscow Patriarchate is not part of Orthodox church doctrine
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate is given the opportunity to withdraw from the Russian Church. This in no way burdens the conscience of believers, because, as I have already said, subordination to the Moscow Patriarchate is not part of Orthodox church doctrine
Addition
On August 27, 2025, the State Service of Ukraine for Ethno-politics and Freedom of Conscience recognized the Kyiv Metropolis of the UOC as affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church. This decision was made due to Metropolitan Onufriy's refusal to comply with the order to eliminate dependence on a foreign religious organization prohibited in Ukraine.
The leadership of the UOC-MP is concealing from believers the order of the State Service for Ethno-politics, which demands breaking ties with the Russian Orthodox Church and condemning Russia's aggression. Failure to comply with the requirements by August 24 may lead to the liquidation of the Kyiv Metropolis of the UOC-MP through court.