Why it is important for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people to have the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU)
Vitaliy DANCHAK, Secretary of the Metropolitanate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine for Public Relations
The Orthodox Church of Ukraine symbolizes the independence and completeness of Ukrainian Orthodoxy. Previously, most Ukrainian Orthodox parishes were subordinated to the Moscow Patriarchate, which actually meant spiritual dependence on Russia. The creation of the OCU is a step towards the full spiritual sovereignty of the Ukrainian people, just as political independence in 1991 was a step towards state independence.
The Orthodox Church of Ukraine is not only a religious institution, but also part of the cultural code of the Ukrainian people. Their own local Autocephalous Orthodox Church helps Ukrainians preserve their language, traditions and spiritual heritage, strengthen national unity in times of war and trials, and build a sense of self-esteem that Ukraine is capable of having its own institutions, both spiritual and secular.
Ukrainian Orthodoxy has deep roots dating back to the times of Kyivan Rus. It was the Kyivan Metropolis that was the center of East Slavic Christianity. Subordination to the Moscow Patriarchate in the seventeenth century was a consequence of political circumstances, not a natural development of events.
The creation of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the receipt of the Tomos of Autocephaly (2019) from the Ecumenical Patriarch is the restoration of historical justice.
The Russian Orthodox Church has often been used by the Kremlin as an instrument of soft power – to promote the “Russian world,” to justify aggression, and to deny Ukrainian identity.
Our Orthodox Church of Ukraine helps to protect the spiritual space of Ukraine from foreign ideological influences.
Thanks to the tireless work of the Primate of the OCU, His Beatitude Metropolitan Epifaniy, the bishops, clergy and faithful, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine actively supports the Armed Forces of Ukraine, volunteers, IDPs, and the families of the victims. It is not only a religious, but also a social and moral support of the society in the war.
During the trials, the Church became a place of unity, prayer and hope.
Receiving the Tomos made Ukraine part of the global community of autocephalous Orthodox churches, which strengthens its international authority and confirms its independence among other nations.
The Orthodox Church of Ukraine is a symbol of the spiritual, national and cultural independence of the Ukrainian people, an important component of statehood and unity in the struggle for freedom.
Glory to the Lord God and Glory to Ukraine!!! Glory to the Heroes!!!
