Ukrainian Orthodox Church breaks away from Russian influence
6 years ago

Ukrainian Orthodox Church breaks away from Russian influence

Associated Press  

ISTANBUL — An independent Ukrainian Orthodox church was created at a signing ceremony in Turkey on Saturday, formalizing a split with the Russian church it had been tied to since 1686. The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, signed the “Tomos” in Istanbul in front of clerics and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, forming the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. The patriarch, considered “first among equals” in Orthodox Christianity, said Ukrainians could now enjoy “the sacred gift of emancipation, independence and self-governance, becoming free from every external reliance and intervention.” Poroshenko thanked Bartholomew I “for the courage to make this historic decision” and said that “among the 15 stars of the Orthodox churches of the world a Ukrainian star has appeared,” referring to the updated number of churches that don’t answer to an external authority. Bartholomew I’s decision in October to grant the Ukrainian church “autocephaly,” or independence, infuriated Moscow and the Russian church severed ties with Istanbul, the center of the Orthodox world.

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History of this topic

Is Ukraine’s largest church still pro-Russian?
3 weeks, 2 days ago

Is Ukraine’s largest church still pro-Russian?

Al Jazeera  

Ukraine is preparing to celebrate Christmas on December 25 for a second year in a break with tradition and Russia, but divisions persist. “Soviet intelligence either forced all priests to the pro-communist Orthodoxy or killed them off in Siberia,” Oleh Dyba, a publicist and scholar of Transcarpathia’s religious life, told Al Jazeera. Kirill is accused of purging dissident priests, he …

Ukraine’s parliament approves ban on Moscow-linked religious groups. One church is seen as a target
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Ukraine’s parliament approves ban on Moscow-linked religious groups. One church is seen as a target

Associated Press  

Ukraine’s parliament has banned the activities of religious groups tied to the Russian Orthodox Church or any other faith group supporting Russia’s invasion — a measure widely seen as targeting a Ukrainian religious body, despite its claim to independence from Moscow. The bill explicitly prohibits activities of the Russian Orthodox Church, calling it “an ideological extension of the regime of …

Bulgaria's Orthodox Church elects a new patriarch with pro-Russian views
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Bulgaria's Orthodox Church elects a new patriarch with pro-Russian views

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Bulgaria’s Orthodox Church on Sunday …

Damaged in war, a vibrant church in Ukraine rises as a symbol of the country’s faith and culture
8 months, 1 week ago

Damaged in war, a vibrant church in Ukraine rises as a symbol of the country’s faith and culture

LA Times  

Christian Orthodox worshippers leave the chapel basement after attending a service at the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Lypivka, Ukraine. Almost 100 residents sheltered in a basement chapel at the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary while Russian troops occupied the village in March 2022 as they closed in on Ukraine’s capital, …

Damaged in war, a vibrant church in Ukraine rises as a symbol of the country’s faith and culture
8 months, 1 week ago

Damaged in war, a vibrant church in Ukraine rises as a symbol of the country’s faith and culture

Associated Press  

LYPIVKA, Ukraine — This Orthodox Easter season, an extraordinary new church is bringing spiritual comfort to war-weary residents of the Ukrainian village of Lypivka. Almost 100 residents sheltered in a basement chapel at the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary while Russian troops occupied the village in March 2022 as they closed in on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, …

On a US tour, Ukrainian faith leaders plead for continued support against the Russian invasion
1 year, 2 months ago

On a US tour, Ukrainian faith leaders plead for continued support against the Russian invasion

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Like other Christian, Jewish and Muslim clergy in a delegation of Ukrainian interfaith leaders visiting the United States this week, Bishop Ivan Rusyn has a succinct message: “Please, hear our cry.” The deputy senior bishop of the Ukrainian Evangelical Church, a Protestant denomination, said that since the February 2022 Russian invasion, some of his church’s pastors have been …

Ukraine's parliament advances bill seen as targeting Orthodox church with historic ties to Moscow
1 year, 2 months ago

Ukraine's parliament advances bill seen as targeting Orthodox church with historic ties to Moscow

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Ukraine’s parliament advances bill seen as targeting Orthodox church with historic ties to Moscow
1 year, 2 months ago

Ukraine’s parliament advances bill seen as targeting Orthodox church with historic ties to Moscow

Associated Press  

Ukraine’s parliament voted overwhelmingly Thursday to advance legislation seen as effectively banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church over its ties to Moscow, despite the church’s insistence that it is fully independent and supportive of Ukraine’s fight against Russian invaders. The legislation would prohibit the activities of religious organizations “that are affiliated with the centers of influence of a religious organization, the …

Russian Orthodox priests face persecution from State and church for supporting peace in Ukraine
1 year, 5 months ago

Russian Orthodox priests face persecution from State and church for supporting peace in Ukraine

The Hindu  

Standing in an old Orthodox church in Antalya with a Bible in one hand and a candle in the other, the Rev. Ioann Koval led one of his first services in Turkey after Russian Orthodox Church leadership decided to defrock him following his prayer for peace in Ukraine. “It breaks what seems to be a monolithic position of the Russian …

Unholy Connection: Why Ukraine is ordering Orthodox monks from historic church to leave premises
1 year, 9 months ago

Unholy Connection: Why Ukraine is ordering Orthodox monks from historic church to leave premises

Firstpost  

Ukraine has ordered the eviction of monks from Pechersk Lavra — a historically significant church in Kyiv. The expulsion comes as many of the clergy are believed to have ties with the Russian Orthodox Church, whose founder, Patriarch Kirill, supports Vladimir Putin and the ongoing war Ukraine has seen many bloody battles since Russia began its ‘special military operation’ in …

Cyprus' new archbishop enthroned, no Russian clerics attend
2 years ago

Cyprus' new archbishop enthroned, no Russian clerics attend

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The head of Cyprus' Orthodox …

Cyprus’ new archbishop enthroned, no Russian clerics attend
2 years ago

Cyprus’ new archbishop enthroned, no Russian clerics attend

Associated Press  

NICOSIA, Cyprus — The head of Cyprus’ Orthodox Church Archbishop Georgios formally assumed his new duties Sunday following an enthronement ceremony evoking the splendor of centuries of Byzantine tradition before an audience of clergy from around the world with the notable exception of the Russian church. Russian Patriarch Kirill sent no representatives at the St. Barnabas Cathedral ceremony following following …

A first for reclaimed Kyiv cathedral: Christmas in Ukrainian
2 years ago

A first for reclaimed Kyiv cathedral: Christmas in Ukrainian

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — Packing a cathedral for Orthodox Christmas, hundreds of worshippers heard the service in that church in the Ukrainian language for the first time in decades, a demonstration of independence from the Russian Orthodox Church. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which remained loyal to the Moscow patriarch since the 17th century, declared independence from Moscow’s Patriarchate after Russia’s invasion …

Ukraine reclaims Kyiv cathedral amid church dispute
2 years ago

Ukraine reclaims Kyiv cathedral amid church dispute

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — The Ukrainian government has taken the main cathedral of the revered historic monastery from the church previously affiliated with Moscow’s patriarchate and allowed its Ukrainian rival to use it for Orthodox Christmas services. Ukrainian Minister of Culture Oleksandr Tkachenko said Thursday that the Dormition Cathedral and the Refectory Church of the nearly 1,000-year-old Pechersk Lavra — also …

Some Ukrainians move up Christmas to part ways with Russia
2 years ago

Some Ukrainians move up Christmas to part ways with Russia

Associated Press  

BOBRYTSIA, Ukraine — Ukrainians usually celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7, as do the Russians. The Russian Orthodox Church, which claims sovereignty over Orthodoxy in Ukraine, and some other Eastern Orthodox churches continue to use the ancient Julian calendar. The Catholic Church first adopted the modern, more astronomically precise Gregorian calendar in the 16th century, and Protestants and some Orthodox churches …

Some Ukrainians move up Christmas to part ways with Russia
2 years ago

Some Ukrainians move up Christmas to part ways with Russia

LA Times  

A woman attends a Christmas Mass at an Orthodox Church in Bobrytsia, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, on Sunday. The Russian Orthodox Church, which claims sovereignty over Orthodoxy in Ukraine, and some other Eastern Orthodox churches continue to use the ancient Julian calendar. The Catholic Church first adopted the modern, more astronomically precise Gregorian calendar in the 16th century, …

Scrutiny of Ukraine church draws praise, fear of overreach
2 years, 1 month ago

Scrutiny of Ukraine church draws praise, fear of overreach

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — After its searches of holy sites belonging to Ukraine’s historic Orthodox church, the nation’s security agency posted photos of evidence it recovered — including rubles, Russian passports and leaflets with messages from the Moscow patriarch. Zelenskyy called for legislation that would forbid “religious organizations affiliated with centers of influence in the Russian Federation to operate in Ukraine.” …

With searches, Ukraine focuses suspicions on Orthodox clergy
2 years, 1 month ago

With searches, Ukraine focuses suspicions on Orthodox clergy

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — An investigation of a centuries-old monastic complex in Ukraine’s capital and other religious sites has underscored Ukrainian authorities’ suspicions about some Orthodox Christian clergymen they see as loyal to Russia despite Moscow’s nine month-old war on the country. But they have been fractured along lines that echo political tensions over Ukraine’s defense of its independence and its …

A spiritual defense of the war in Ukraine? Putin’s patriarch is trying
2 years, 9 months ago

A spiritual defense of the war in Ukraine? Putin’s patriarch is trying

LA Times  

Wearing crisp, olive-green robes and a towering, white head covering embroidered with the somber face of Jesus, Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, addressed the faithful from an ornate 10,000-seat cathedral in Moscow. “He describes the current situation in Ukraine as Russians defending against a foreign invasion, not as Ukrainians fighting for democracy, and their lives, against …

When Putin Says Russia & Ukraine Share One Faith, He's Leaving Out a Lot
2 years, 9 months ago

When Putin Says Russia & Ukraine Share One Faith, He's Leaving Out a Lot

The Quint  

Under imperial Russia, the Russian Orthodox Church was often a tool of assimilation, with officials eager to use the power of the church to make newly conquered peoples Russian subjects. Beginning in 1654, when Ukrainian lands were being absorbed into imperial Russia, clergy from Moscow had to decide how to accommodate distinct religious texts, practices and ideas from Kyiv that …

Russian talking point: Blaming US for Ukraine church split
2 years, 9 months ago

Russian talking point: Blaming US for Ukraine church split

Associated Press  

While Russia has sought to justify its assault on Ukraine with complaints about NATO’s eastward expansion, it has also claimed that foreign actors have encroached on its religious turf in Ukraine — even alleging the United States helped instigate an Eastern Orthodox schism there. Moscow Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, said both the West and a rival …

Where Ukraine fits into Russian President Vladimir Putin's 'culture war'
2 years, 9 months ago

Where Ukraine fits into Russian President Vladimir Putin's 'culture war'

ABC  

On February 24, Russia invaded Ukraine. By contrast, "Ukrainian society seems to be embracing more liberal values," says Professor Laruelle, helping Putin to frame Ukraine as influenced by the "amoral" West. Under Patriarch Kirill's leadership, the Church "cooperates closely with Vladimir Putin and the Russian state", says Professor Clay. "Putin takes religious politics very seriously and in 2018 called a …

Some of Ukraine's Orthodox churches want to break away from their Russian patriarch
2 years, 10 months ago

Some of Ukraine's Orthodox churches want to break away from their Russian patriarch

NPR  

Some of Ukraine's Orthodox churches want to break away from their Russian patriarch Enlarge this image toggle caption Claire Harbage/NPR Claire Harbage/NPR On the day that Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Church of St. George in Lviv, in western Ukraine, posted a sign on its front gate condemning Russia. The church belongs to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church …

EXPLAINER: How is Russia-Ukraine war linked to religion?
2 years, 10 months ago

EXPLAINER: How is Russia-Ukraine war linked to religion?

Associated Press  

Ukraine’s tangled political history with Russia has its counterpart in the religious landscape, with Ukraine’s majority Orthodox Christian population divided between an independent-minded group based in Kyiv and another loyal to its patriarch in Moscow. Even though Russian President Vladimir Putin justified his invasion of Ukraine in part as a defense of the Moscow-oriented Orthodox church, leaders of both Ukrainian …

Pope condemns ‘diabolical logic’ of war
2 years, 10 months ago

Pope condemns ‘diabolical logic’ of war

The Hindu  

Pope Francis has denounced the “diabolical and perverse logic” of launching a war in Ukraine in his strongest public comments yet. Pope Francis also called Sunday for humanitarian corridors to welcome Ukrainian refugees fleeing the “tragic” invasion of their homeland. Pope Francis has refrained from calling out Russia by name as he seeks to mend ties with the Russian Orthodox …

How is Russia-Ukraine war linked to religion? | Explained
2 years, 10 months ago

How is Russia-Ukraine war linked to religion? | Explained

India TV News  

Ukraine’s tangled political history with Russia has its counterpart in the religious landscape, with Ukraine’s majority Orthodox Christian population divided between an independent-minded group based in Kyiv and another loyal to its patriarch in Moscow. Even though Russian President Vladimir Putin justified his invasion of Ukraine in part as a defense of the Moscow-oriented Orthodox church, leaders of both Ukrainian …

Constantinople Patriarch visits Ukraine for independence
3 years, 4 months ago

Constantinople Patriarch visits Ukraine for independence

Associated Press  

KYIV, Ukraine — The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople has arrived on a visit to Ukraine to attend festivities marking the 30th anniversary of its declaration of independence. On Saturday, Patriarch Batholomew I and the leader of the new Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Metropolitan Epiphanius I, together conducted a lithurgy in Kyiv’s St. Michael’s Cathedral. In January 2019, Bartholomew I, considered …

Orthodox church petitions UN over Istanbul's Hagia Sophia
4 years, 3 months ago

Orthodox church petitions UN over Istanbul's Hagia Sophia

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Greek Orthodox Church of …

Ukraine church’s historic split from Russia granted by patriarch
6 years ago

Ukraine church’s historic split from Russia granted by patriarch

Al Jazeera  

Move by Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I comes amid heightened tensions between Moscow and Kiev. Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and Head of the global Orthodox Church Bartholomew I signed the “Tomos” independence decree in a ceremony in the Turkish city of Istanbul on Saturday. Bartholomew I will officially hand the decree to the new Ukrainian church at a mass …

Ukraine’s leader orders Orthodox Church to change its name
6 years ago

Ukraine’s leader orders Orthodox Church to change its name

Associated Press  

KIEV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s president on Saturday signed a bill that orders the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to change its name to reflect its ties to Moscow. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Saturday signed the bill ordering the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to explicitly indicate its link to the Moscow Patriarchate in its name. When the Ukrainian parliament passed the bill Thursday, …

Ukraine forms new unified Orthodox Church in defiance of Moscow
6 years, 1 month ago

Ukraine forms new unified Orthodox Church in defiance of Moscow

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Inside Kiev’s St Sophia Cathedral, a unification council of …

Ukraine Orthodox leaders approve break with Russian church
6 years, 1 month ago

Ukraine Orthodox leaders approve break with Russian church

LA Times  

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, center left, attends a closed-door synod of three Ukrainian Orthodox churches to approve the charter for a unified church and to elect leadership in the St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev on Saturday. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kiev Patriarchate along with the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church are two branches in Ukraine that did not recognize …

Russian Orthodox church calls on UN for help in Ukraine
6 years, 1 month ago

Russian Orthodox church calls on UN for help in Ukraine

Associated Press  

MINSK, Belarus — The Russian Orthodox Church on Friday called on the United Nations, the leaders of Germany and France, the pope and other spiritual leaders to protect believers in Ukraine in the face of pressure on Moscow-affiliated clerics. Ukraine’s Orthodox clerics will gather for a meeting Saturday that is expected to form a new, independent Ukrainian church, and Ukrainian …

AP Explains: Russia-Ukraine dispute raises new tensions
6 years, 1 month ago

AP Explains: Russia-Ukraine dispute raises new tensions

Associated Press  

MOSCOW — A dispute between Russia and Ukraine in the waters off the Crimean Peninsula has raised the prospect of a larger military confrontation between the two neighbors. But Russia’s ties with the industrial heartland of eastern Ukraine run deep, with many Russian speakers living there. ANNEXATION AND VIOLENCE Russia annexed the Crimea in 2014 after troops without insignia occupied …

Russian Orthodox Church splits from Constantinople over Ukraine
6 years, 3 months ago

Russian Orthodox Church splits from Constantinople over Ukraine

Al Jazeera  

In the largest schism in Orthodox Christianity for over a century, the Russian Orthodox Church has cut all ties with the Constantinople Patriarchate over a “historic” decision to recognise the Ukrainian Orthodox Church as independent. The Holy Synod has also urged other Orthodox Churches to properly evaluate a decision taken by Constantinople and to “search for ways out of the …

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