Ukrainians cannot forgive the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (in unity with the MP) primarily for its preaching of the “Russian world”, ties with Russian special services, and support for eight years, since 2014, of the Russian narrative about a possible “civil war” in Ukraine, Kateryna Shchtokina writes in her article for ZN.UA.
According to a survey by the Razumkov Center commissioned by ZN.UA, the promotion of the idea of the “Russian world” in sermons is a serious issue that 43.2% of Ukrainians have with the UOC (MP).
“Throughout its entire history, the UOC (MP) quite frankly preached ‘Holy Russia’ – the heavenly reflection of the ‘brotherhood of peoples’ in the format of the Russian Empire…” Shchtokina writes, noting that even during a full-scale war, the UOC (MP) was unable to take such a “cosmetic” measure as ceasing to commemorate Patriarch Kirill during divine services, as the issue caused serious opposition from the priests. That is why, in the end, it was left to the discretion of each particular cleric and parish.
At the same time, the Russian full-scale invasion sharpened many angles. Indeed, 12% of respondents to the question: “Who is a domestic enemy for you?” answered: “Those who attend the UOC (MP).”
“Only 28% of respondents criticized the UOC (MP) regarding collaborationism. But these are only those who condemned the UOC (MP) for the direct cooperation of specific representatives of the church with the occupiers during the war,” Shchotkina writes.
