The synodal department for church public relations of the Moscow Patriarchate published a statement calling on international human rights organizations, the world Orthodox scientific and theological community, religious and secular educational institutions around the world to defend the Kyiv Theological Academy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (in unity with the Moscow Patriarchate).
The Russian occupiers claim that the decision of the Ukrainian authorities is allegedly “lawless” and aims to “destroy the thousand-year-old Kyiv-Pechersk Monastery” and the “spiritual, intellectual and cultural-historical tradition” associated with it.
It is worth noting that the official platform of the Russian Orthodox Church refers primarily not to the official statements of the UOC (MP), but to that of the “Union of Orthodox Journalists” – a publication that lobbies for the interests of the UOC (MP) and is associated with Metropolitan Antony (Pakanych) and a pro-Russian oligarch Viktor Vyshnevetskyi.
In general, the Moscow Patriarchate’s “care” for the fate of theological schools of the UOC (MP) looks hypocritical and disgusting as Patriarch Kirill blesses the killing of Ukrainians and as several hundred churches, libraries and museums in Ukraine have already been destroyed by Russian troops. Of course, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (MP) will not react to these appeals of the Russian Orthodox Church to the international community. Maybe there they are “waiting” for the bombing of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, or the Kyiv Theological Seminary and Academy. In such a case, some vicar bishop could speak on behalf of the UOC (MP), as was the case when a Russian missile hit the Odesa cathedral run the UOC (MP).
Let us emphasize that the statement of the Russian Orthodox Church on the protection of the KTSA and the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is part of the Russian policy aimed at supporting the separatist movement and preserving Russia’s influence in Ukraine. The Russian Orthodox Church is not interested in real spiritual development, but only in achieving their own geopolitical goals.
The reference to the alleged threat to “thousand-year-old traditions” is populist disinformation, since the authorities of Ukraine have no intention of destroying these objects. This is only about the reorganization of church management and involvement of the OCU, which is not subordinate to Moscow and has no ties to the occupiers.
The appeal to international organizations on behalf of the invaders’ church is only aimed at putting pressure on Ukraine and discrediting it in the eyes of the world community as a country that allegedly violates religious freedoms and rights. The UOC (MP) often follows this principle when they stand up for the hierarchs who justified Russian aggression, in particular, they called Metropolitan Ionafan (Yeletskyi) a “martyr for the faith”, ignoring his anti-Ukrainian subversive activities in favor of the invaders.
The Russian Orthodox Church and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (MP) want to present the situation as if the Ukrainian authorities are persecuting the Orthodox Church. This creates the impression of political repression on the part of Ukraine. Turning to human rights defenders, the Russian Orthodox Church is trying to use the mechanisms of international pressure on Ukraine, to force it to make concessions in church politics and maintain its influence.
At the same time, the ROC ignores and silences the fact of Russian aggression and war crimes committed by the Russian occupiers, and the UOC (MP) does not dare to break with Moscow completely. We will remind you once again that only according to official data, more than 300 churches were damaged. Therefore, the appeals of the Russian Orthodox Church to international organizations look hypocritical and disgusting and are not aimed at protecting churches but exerting political pressure on Ukraine and weakening its international positions in the context of Russian aggression.
