Ukrainian Parliament Bans Russian-Linked Orthodox Church

The Russian Orthodox Church maintains a significant presence in Ukraine, boasting around 9,000 parishes. It is frequently viewed as a conduit for Kremlin influence, but the extent of this influence remains a question.

A Bold Move Against the Moscow-affiliated Orthodox Church

The Ukrainian Parliament took a bold and controversial step this Tuesday by adopting a bill to ban the Orthodox Church closely linked to the Moscow Patriarchate. Seen by many as a conduit for Kremlin influence, the move sparked sharp reactions following over two years of Russian invasion, according to several lawmakers.

A Fading Symbol of Influence

The decision marks a significant shift in Ukrainian society. Once the most favored in Ukraine, this Orthodox Church has seen a stark decline in popularity.

The rise of Ukrainian national sentiment is gradually diminishing its foothold, a trend bolstered by the emergence of an independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church in 2018, separate from Moscow.

Anticipating a Challenging Transition for Parishes

Ukrainian lawmaker, Iaroslav Jelezniak, stated that this legislative change still requires formal approval from President Volodymyr Zelensky to become law.

Once approved, affected parishes will have a nine-month period to tackle the complex task of “severing ties with the Russian Orthodox Church”.

Sharp Reaction from Russia

Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russian diplomacy, quickly responded. As reported by a state television channel, she expressed outrage: “[The Ukrainian Parliament’s decision] aims to destroy canonical Orthodoxy and replace it with a counterfeit church.” The Moscow Patriarchate, meanwhile, condemned the action as an “illegal act”.