Pro-Russian MP Vadym Novysnky, who is one of the major sponsors of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine and at the same time its archdeacon, has acknowledged that what’s formerly been known as the “Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate” is part of the Russian Orthodox Church operating in Ukraine.
“That the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (ROCinU – ed.) Is part of the ROC is a fact… We have a spiritual connection with the ROC, it can’t be severed,” Novynsky said in an interview with the Ukrainian Pravda online outlet.
He also claimed that, despite being a member of the ROC, the ROCinU enjoys broad autonomy rights.
At the same time, Novynsky also denied that the ROCinU is a political instrument Russia has been exploiting in its interests.
“It’s a myth. I know what I’m talking about. This is a myth, mostly promoted by journalists, that our Church (ROCinU – ed.) is overly politicized,” said the pro-Russian mogul.
Earlier we reported that a lobbyist of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine and a Novynsky’s friend is running for the senior post at the State Ethnic Policy Agency.
