Ukrainian Orthodox Church
Orthodox mark Christmas, but the celebration is overshadowed for many by conflict
By The Associated Press — January 8, 2024
(AP) — Orthodox Christians packed churches Saturday night for Christmas Eve services, a holiday overshadowed for many believers by conflict.
Ukrainian Parliament moves to bar Russian-linked church from operating in the country
By David I. Klein — October 19, 2023
(RNS) — Draft law 8371, which requires another vote before moving to the president’s desk, would give Ukrainian authorities power to examine the connection of religious groups in Ukraine to the Russian Federation and to ban those whose leadership is outside of Ukraine.
Russian Orthodox Church appoints Putin’s spiritual adviser metropolitan of Crimea
By David I. Klein — October 16, 2023
(RNS) — In March, Metropolitan Tikhon was seen at Putin's side as the president made his first visit to Crimea since full-scale war broke out between Russia and Ukraine in February 2022.
Ukrainian Orthodox churches purge vestiges of Russian influence
By Meagan Saliashvili — August 18, 2023
LVIV, Ukraine (RNS) — For centuries, Orthodox Ukrainians saw the traditional Julian calendar as one of the anchors of their church’s identity. Now many are switching to the Gregorian calendar.
Battle over ownership of Ukrainian monastery heats up again
By Meagan Saliashvili — July 6, 2023
(RNS) — Dozens of Orthodox Christians who support their church’s historic ties to Moscow prevented Ukrainian authorities from taking possession of buildings at the Monastery of the Caves in Kyiv, surrounding the entrance and blocking officials from entering.
Ukrainians celebrate Palm Sunday in church marred by dispute
By Samya Kullab — April 10, 2023
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainians marked Palm Sunday in the country’s most revered Orthodox site that has been at the heart of a religious dispute playing out in parallel with Russia's war on Ukraine.
Ukrainian court puts an Orthodox leader under house arrest
By Karl Ritter and Elena Becatoros — April 2, 2023
(RNS) — Ukraine's top security agency said Metropolitan Pavel, the abbott of a famed Orthodox monastery, was suspected of justifying Russian aggression, a criminal offense. It was the latest move in a bitter dispute over .
‘Prayer is our only weapon’: Monks at Kyiv monastery resist planned eviction
By Meagan Saliashvili — March 28, 2023
(RNS) — The monastery’s fate has been in question since Russia’s invasion in February 2022 has brought a series of crackdowns on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which has historical ties to Moscow.
Tensions on the rise at revered Kyiv monastery complex
By Hanna Arhirova — March 27, 2023
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The dispute is part of a wider religious conflict playing out in parallel with the war.
Some Ukrainians move up Christmas to part ways with Russia
By Renata Brito and Hanna Arhirova — December 27, 2022
BOBRYTSIA, Ukraine (AP) — Some Orthodox Ukrainians have decided to observe Christmas on Dec. 25, like many Christians around the world. Yes, this has to do with the war, and yes, they have the blessing of their local church.
Scrutiny of Ukraine church draws praise, fear of overreach
By Associated Press — December 12, 2022
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday announced measures primarily targeting the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which is one of two major Orthodox churches in Ukraine following a 2019 schism.
Ukraine bans religious organizations with links to Russia
By Associated Press — December 5, 2022
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine on Friday banned the activities of religious organizations “affiliated with centers of influence” in Russia and said it would examine the links between the Ukrainian and Russian Orthodox churches.
Ukraine searches monastic complex, prompting anger in Moscow
By Hanna Arhirova — November 22, 2022
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The Ukrainian counter-intelligence and counter-terrorism service said the search is part of its "systematic work to counter the subversive activities of the Russian special services in Ukraine."
Moscow patriarch: Russian war dead have their sins forgiven
By Peter Smith — September 27, 2022
(AP) — The assertion, made on Sunday, ratchets up Moscow Patriarch Kirill's already staunch support for Russia's war on Ukraine.
Priesthood, politics and propaganda: One clergyman’s life in war-torn Ukraine
By Marika Proctor — August 3, 2022
(RNS) — For many Ukrainian Orthodox Christians, and clergy in particular, the question of religious identity in relationship to the Russian Orthodox Church is both personal and political.
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