On March 12, 2024, in Moscow’s St. Daniel’s Monastery, Patriarch Kirill, who presided over the ROC Synod meeting, declared the annexation of part of the Zaporizhzhia Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (in unity with the Moscow Patriarchate), located in the temporarily occupied territory.
Officially, the ROC Synod explains its actions with the “appeals” from clergymen, monks, and lay people from the temporarily occupied territories in Zaporizhzhia region. These appeals allegedly indicate that Metropolitan Luka (Kovalenko) of the UOC (MP) is unable fully fulfill his archpastoral duties because of the front-line circumstances.
In this regard, the Russian Orthodox Church ruled:
- To entrust the temporary management of parishes and monasteries in the territories of four districts, as well as two cities (Melitopol and Enerhodar) in Zaporizhzhia region to the Berdiansk Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church.
- For the purpose of their “state registration” in the Russian Federation as religious organizations, the said parishes and monasteries shall be assigned to the Berdiansk Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church.
- At services in the mentioned parishes and monasteries, the name of the head of the Berdiansk Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church shall be mentioned after the names of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and Metropolitan Luka (Kovalenko).
- When the external situation changes (perhaps it means, when the territories are liberated), the issue of the procedure for managing the mentioned parishes and monasteries, as well as their legal status, shall be revisited.
- Administrative and disciplinary measures against clerics as regards their appeal to the Patriarch of Moscow (or organization of appeals) shall be seen as void until their cases are additionally heard.
That is, the ROC will consider in advance all decisions of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (MP) regarding traitors as having no administrative and canonical force. At the same time, the name of Metropolitan Luka shall be commemorated during the service after the name of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church.
The decision of the ROC Synod actually seeks to “legalize” the seizure of part of the parishes of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (MP) in Zaporizhzhia. The subordination of these parishes to the Berdiansk Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church contradicts church canons because it has no consent from Metropolitan Luka (Kovalenko) and is taken without the knowledge of the UOC (MP).
The mention of the name of the head of the ROC Berdiansk Diocese during religious services indicates the departure of these parishes from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (MP) and their transfer under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church. The decision of the ROC Synod demonstrates the ROC’s disregard for canon law and its desire for political control over religious life in occupied territories.
This happened before – when the Russian Orthodox Church annexed a part of the Berdiansk Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (MP) and forcibly subordinated it to itself. There was no reaction from the UOC (MP) back then. On May 23, 2023, the UOC (MP) convened its Synod to commemorate the anniversaries of the Kharkiv (1992) and Feofania Councils. At the same time, the Synod completely ignored the fact that the Moscow Patriarchate snatched the entire Berdiansk Diocese.
Thus, there is “persecution” in the eyes of the UOC (MP) only when parishes vote to join the OCU in accordance with the Tomos of autocephaly. However, when the Church, led by Patriarch Kirill, who supports the war against Ukraine, conquers and forcefully subjugates entire dioceses with hundreds of parishes, the UOC (MP) is silent like fish. No videos, no compassionate stories, no comments from Bob Amsterdam, no appeals from Metropolitan Antoniy (Pakanych) to the UN and other international organizations… Apparently, when Russian aggressors do this to the UOC (MP), the latter sees it as a quite acceptable behavior that does not fall under the criteria of “persecution”.
It seems that this time, too, there will be silence from the UOC (MP), in particular from Metropolitan Luka (Kovalenko) in Zaporizhzhia, who is known for his disgraceful antics and statements about Patriarch Bartholomew, the coronavirus, and the Revolution of Dignity. Russian media reported that Metropolitan Luka spoke against the complete independence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (MP) during a Council in Feofania. The silence on the part of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (MP) may be due to the desire to avoid conflict with the Russian Orthodox Church and preserve unity with the Moscow Patriarchate.
The UOC (MP) could express its disagreement with the decisions of the ROC, condemn cooperation with the invaders, and reaffirm its loyalty to Ukraine. This scenario is unlikely, however, because the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (MP) throughout the war has been trying to maintain neutrality and keep grave silence regarding the illegal actions of the Russian Orthodox Church.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church (MP) could also make a statement that would not directly criticize the Russian Orthodox Church, but also would express no support for its actions. This scenario is the most likely one, sly as it is.
Factors affecting the position of the UOC (MP):
Internal split. In the UOC (MP) there is a split between those who support the ROC and those who seek greater independence. This division may intensify due to the actions of the Russian Orthodox Church in the occupied territories.
The position of the authorities. The Ukrainian authorities could take measures against the UOC (MP) if it continues to cooperate with the Russian Orthodox Church and maintain ties with it.
It should be recalled that on December 27, 2023, during the meeting of the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, a decision was made to annex part of the Kherson Diocese of the UOC (MP), which is located in the territory of the temporarily occupied part of Kherson region.
Meanwhile, the UOC (MP) considers itself “independent in management”. But it turns out that another church can at any moment grab entire dioceses, together with priests and parishes, from this “independent Church” with no repercussions.
