Ukraine officially recognized: UOC remains subordinate to Moscow
28 August 21:11
On August 27, the State Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience recognized the Kyiv Metropolis of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church as affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church. This means that the UOC falls under the law banning churches affiliated with the aggressor state.
The agency noted that there were no grounds to revoke the previous order, and the head of the UOC, Metropolitan Onufriy, refused to eliminate the violations.
Legislative framework
In September 2024, Law No. 3894-IX came into force, which explicitly bans the activities of religious organizations affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church. The current decision of the SES is based on this law.
Deprivation of citizenship
In July 2025, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy deprived Metropolitan Onufriy (Orest Berezovskyy) of Ukrainian citizenship.
Attempts by the authorities earlier
As early as the spring of 2022, the authorities began massive inspections of UOC monasteries and churches due to the cooperation of individual priests with Russian special services. The SBU has repeatedly reported finding pro-Russian literature and propaganda materials.
Church reaction
The leadership of the UOC tried to legally prove its “complete independence” from Moscow, but lawsuits against the state were unsuccessful. At the parish level, thousands of communities have moved to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) over the past two years, often despite the resistance of UOC priests.
Thus, the decision on affiliation is not only a formality, but also a legal basis for further restrictions and possible termination of the UOC in its current form.
