Let's talk about religion in Ukraine.
Religion banned in Ukraine?
The proposed legislation aimed at banning the Moscow-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church has received initial approval from the Ukrainian parliament. Accusing the church of collaboration with Russia following last year's invasion, Kyiv is taking steps to prohibit its activities. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), distinct from the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), asserts that it is no longer aligned with the Russian Orthodox Church and rejects the accusations, deeming the proposed law unconstitutional.
Legislators expressed support for the bill in its first reading, and for it to come into effect, a second reading and approval from the president are required. The law is designed to ban the activities of religious organizations affiliated with centers of influence "in a state that carries out armed aggression against Ukraine." Such activities could be terminated by a court decision.
Legislators expressed support for the bill in its first reading, and for it to come into effect, a second reading and approval from the president are required. The law is designed to ban the activities of religious organizations affiliated with centers of influence "in a state that carries out armed aggression against Ukraine." Such activities could be terminated by a court decision.
What religion is Ukraine?
In Ukraine, the predominant religious affiliation is Orthodoxy, with approximately 72% of the population adhering to this faith. Catholicism constitutes around 9%, while Protestantism and other Christian denominations each make up about 2%. Additionally, 3% of the population follows other religions, with 10% identifying as atheist. Approximately 2% find it challenging to specify their religious affiliation.
What does Ukrainian Orthodox believe?
- Trinitarian Faith: Orthodox Christians believe in the Holy Trinity— the one God in three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit.
- Sacred Scripture: The foundation of their faith is the Holy Scripture, encompassing the Old and New Testaments. The Bible is regarded as divinely inspired.
- Jesus Christ as Savior: Orthodox believers affirm that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who came to the world to save humanity from sin and death. His death and resurrection are considered the cornerstone of the Christian faith.
- Sacraments (Mysteries): Orthodox Christianity recognizes seven sacraments, including baptism, Eucharist (communion), anointing of the sick, repentance, and others.
Religion in Ukraine: history
In ancient times and the early Middle Ages, the regions that make up present-day Ukraine were inhabited by various tribes practicing traditional pagan religions. Tengrism, such as that of Old Great Bulgaria in the 7th century CE, was among the diverse belief systems. Byzantine Rite Christianity gained prominence around the turn of the first millennium. Legends suggest that in the 1st century CE, the Apostle Andrew visited the future site of Kyiv.
In the 10th century, the emerging state of Kyivan Rus became increasingly influenced by the Byzantine Empire. Princess Saint Olga, the first recorded Rus' convert to Eastern Orthodoxy, visited Constantinople in 945 or 957. In the 980s, Olga's grandson, Prince Vladimir, baptized his people in the Dnieper River, marking the beginning of Eastern Orthodoxy's dominance in Ruthenia. This religious ascendancy shaped the spiritual landscape of both Ukraine and Russia. The dominance of Great Russia over Little Russia (from 1721) led to the decline of Uniate Catholicism in Ukrainian lands under Tsarist control.
Judaism has a presence in Ukrainian lands dating back approximately 2000 years, with Jewish traders appearing in Greek colonies. In the 13th century, Ashkenazi Jewish presence significantly increased, and the 18th century saw the establishment of Hasidism as a new teaching of Judaism in Ukrainian territories.
Islam reached present-day Ukraine through the Golden Horde, which adopted it in 1313, and the Sunni Ottoman Empire, which conquered the Ukrainian littoral in the 1470s. Crimean Tatars embraced Islam as the state religion (1313–1502) of the Golden Horde and later ruled as vassals of the Ottoman Empire until the late 18th century.
During the Soviet rule (c. 1917–1991), atheism was officially promoted by the Soviet authorities, and religious believers faced various levels of persecution. The majority of people became non-believers during this period, with only a small fraction remaining official church-goers.
The 20th century witnessed schisms within Eastern Orthodoxy in Ukrainian territory.
In the 10th century, the emerging state of Kyivan Rus became increasingly influenced by the Byzantine Empire. Princess Saint Olga, the first recorded Rus' convert to Eastern Orthodoxy, visited Constantinople in 945 or 957. In the 980s, Olga's grandson, Prince Vladimir, baptized his people in the Dnieper River, marking the beginning of Eastern Orthodoxy's dominance in Ruthenia. This religious ascendancy shaped the spiritual landscape of both Ukraine and Russia. The dominance of Great Russia over Little Russia (from 1721) led to the decline of Uniate Catholicism in Ukrainian lands under Tsarist control.
Judaism has a presence in Ukrainian lands dating back approximately 2000 years, with Jewish traders appearing in Greek colonies. In the 13th century, Ashkenazi Jewish presence significantly increased, and the 18th century saw the establishment of Hasidism as a new teaching of Judaism in Ukrainian territories.
Islam reached present-day Ukraine through the Golden Horde, which adopted it in 1313, and the Sunni Ottoman Empire, which conquered the Ukrainian littoral in the 1470s. Crimean Tatars embraced Islam as the state religion (1313–1502) of the Golden Horde and later ruled as vassals of the Ottoman Empire until the late 18th century.
During the Soviet rule (c. 1917–1991), atheism was officially promoted by the Soviet authorities, and religious believers faced various levels of persecution. The majority of people became non-believers during this period, with only a small fraction remaining official church-goers.
The 20th century witnessed schisms within Eastern Orthodoxy in Ukrainian territory.
Is there freedom of the religion in Ukraine?
Ukraine upholds the right to religious freedom through its laws and has established a legal framework for the registration of religious groups. However, certain religious organizations have encountered challenges in acquiring property, including assets previously seized by the Soviet Union, citing discriminatory treatment by local government bodies.
Ongoing jurisdictional disputes persist between the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kyiv Patriarchate and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Moscow Patriarchate, stemming from the fallout of the Russian military invasion of Ukrainian territory. Far-right Ukrainian nationalist groups, like Freedom, have been reported to target and harass members of the Moscow Patriarchate.
Since 2013, Ukraine has experienced instances of violence against Jewish communities. Vandalism against religious buildings and monuments is a common occurrence, affecting various denominations, with Jewish and Roman Catholic structures frequently targeted.
In regions not under the control of the Ukrainian government, Jehovah's Witnesses have faced persecution from Russian and separatist authorities. Russian media has consistently criticized Jehovah's Witnesses and the Kyiv Patriarchate, branding them as "pro-fascist."
As of 2023, Ukraine received a religious freedom score of 3 out of 4, indicating the state of religious freedom in the country.
Ongoing jurisdictional disputes persist between the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kyiv Patriarchate and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Moscow Patriarchate, stemming from the fallout of the Russian military invasion of Ukrainian territory. Far-right Ukrainian nationalist groups, like Freedom, have been reported to target and harass members of the Moscow Patriarchate.
Since 2013, Ukraine has experienced instances of violence against Jewish communities. Vandalism against religious buildings and monuments is a common occurrence, affecting various denominations, with Jewish and Roman Catholic structures frequently targeted.
In regions not under the control of the Ukrainian government, Jehovah's Witnesses have faced persecution from Russian and separatist authorities. Russian media has consistently criticized Jehovah's Witnesses and the Kyiv Patriarchate, branding them as "pro-fascist."
As of 2023, Ukraine received a religious freedom score of 3 out of 4, indicating the state of religious freedom in the country.
Russia/Ukraine war and religion
The invasion of Ukraine and the perceived support for it by the Russian Orthodox Church has stirred controversy within the global Orthodox community. Numerous religious leaders, including Bartholomew I of Constantinople, Patriarch Daniel of Romania, Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria, and Archbishop Leo of Helsinki and All Finland, have publicly condemned the invasion.
In response to the conflict, the Parish of Saint Nicholas of Myra in Amsterdam, Netherlands, declared its disaffiliation from the Russian Orthodox Church due to its backing of the invasion. Instead, the parish opted to align itself with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Similarly, Archbishop Innokentiy, the head of the Lithuanian Orthodox Church, announced on March 17 that the Church would strive for greater independence from the Russian Orthodox Church, explicitly condemning the invasion.
Metropolitan Onufriy of Kyiv, the primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) (UOC-MP), characterized the war as a disaster and highlighted the historical and spiritual ties between Ukrainian and Russian peoples. He expressed that the conflict was akin to the biblical story of Cain and Abel, stating it lacked justification before both God and humanity. In May 2022, an official church council in Kyiv declared the full independence and autonomy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church from the Moscow Patriarchate.
On December 2, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy introduced a bill to the Verkhovna Rada seeking to officially ban all activities of the UOC in Ukraine.
In response to the conflict, the Parish of Saint Nicholas of Myra in Amsterdam, Netherlands, declared its disaffiliation from the Russian Orthodox Church due to its backing of the invasion. Instead, the parish opted to align itself with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Similarly, Archbishop Innokentiy, the head of the Lithuanian Orthodox Church, announced on March 17 that the Church would strive for greater independence from the Russian Orthodox Church, explicitly condemning the invasion.
Metropolitan Onufriy of Kyiv, the primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) (UOC-MP), characterized the war as a disaster and highlighted the historical and spiritual ties between Ukrainian and Russian peoples. He expressed that the conflict was akin to the biblical story of Cain and Abel, stating it lacked justification before both God and humanity. In May 2022, an official church council in Kyiv declared the full independence and autonomy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church from the Moscow Patriarchate.
On December 2, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy introduced a bill to the Verkhovna Rada seeking to officially ban all activities of the UOC in Ukraine.
