Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate)

Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate)
Name	Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate)
Native name	Українська Православна Церква (Московський Патріархат)
Caption	St. Volodymyr's Cathedral in Kyiv, a prominent cathedral of the church.
Type	Eastern Orthodox Church
Main classification	Eastern Orthodox Christianity
Polity	Episcopal polity
Governance	Holy Synod
Leader title	Primate
Leader name	Metropolitan Onufriy (Berezovsky)
Fellowships type	Patriarchate
Fellowships	Moscow Patriarchate
Area	Ukraine
Language	Church Slavonic, Ukrainian
Headquarters	Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, Kyiv
Founded date	1990
Recognition	Autonomous church within the Russian Orthodox Church
Members	Estimates vary widely
Website	https://church.ua/

Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) is an Eastern Orthodox body in Ukraine, operating as an autonomous entity under the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate. It was granted autonomy in 1990 by the Russian Orthodox Church, with its primate holding the title of Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine. The church has been a central figure in Ukraine's complex religious landscape, facing significant political and ecclesiastical challenges, particularly following the 2014 Ukrainian revolution and the subsequent War in Donbas.

History

The church traces its canonical lineage to the Baptism of Rus' in 988 and the establishment of the Metropolis of Kyiv under the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Following the Union of Brest in 1596 and the Synod of Zamość in 1720, the Orthodox hierarchy in Ukrainian lands underwent significant changes. In 1686, the Metropolis of Kyiv was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Patriarch of Moscow, a move whose canonicity has been long disputed. The modern entity was formally established in 1990 when the Russian Orthodox Church granted autonomy to its Ukrainian Exarchate, led by Metropolitan Filaret (Denysenko), who later sought autocephaly and became patriarch of the rival Orthodox Church of Ukraine. The church maintained its communion with Moscow throughout the Dissolution of the Soviet Union and the subsequent independence of Ukraine.

Governance and structure

The church is governed by its Holy Synod, headed by the Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine, Metropolitan Onufriy (Berezovsky), who was elected in 2014 following the death of his predecessor, Metropolitan Volodymyr (Sabodan). Its central administrative body is located at the historic Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, a major monastic complex and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The church is divided into numerous eparchies (dioceses) across Ukraine, including significant centers in Kharkiv, Odesa, and Lviv. Key institutions include the Kyiv Theological Academy and the Pochayiv Lavra in Ternopil Oblast.

Relationship with the Moscow Patriarchate

The church maintains full eucharistic and canonical communion with the Russian Orthodox Church, recognizing the spiritual authority of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow. Its autonomy grants it self-governance in internal matters, including the election of its primate and Holy Synod, but it remains integral to the broader Moscow Patriarchate. This relationship has been a persistent source of controversy, especially after the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation and the Russo-Ukrainian War, with critics accusing the church of being a tool for Russian political influence.

Status in Ukraine and legal issues

Following the creation of the independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine in 2018, which received a Tomos of Autocephaly from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the UOC (MP) faced increased scrutiny. The Ukrainian government under presidents Petro Poroshenko and Volodymyr Zelenskyy has enacted laws requiring the church to indicate its affiliation with the Russian Orthodox Church in its official name, a measure contested as discriminatory. Legal battles over property rights, particularly at sites like the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra and the Pochayiv Lavra, have intensified, with some local communities voting to transfer parishes to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

Doctrine and practice

The church adheres to the doctrinal canons and liturgical practices of the Eastern Orthodox Church, using primarily the Byzantine Rite. The primary liturgical languages are Church Slavonic and Ukrainian. Its ecclesiology emphasizes canonical unity with the Moscow Patriarchate and views the Orthodox Church of Ukraine as schismatic. The church venerates saints such as Prince Vladimir the Great and maintains the Julian calendar for its liturgical year.

Social and political role

The church has historically played a significant role in charitable work, education, and preserving cultural heritage in Ukraine. However, its perceived ties to the Russian government and the leadership of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, who has voiced support for the Russian World ideology, have led to accusations of complicity in the Russo-Ukrainian War. This has resulted in increased social polarization, persecution of clergy, and security service raids on its properties, alongside growing calls from nationalist groups and some politicians for its complete ban.

Category:Eastern Orthodox church bodies in Ukraine Category:Russian Orthodox Church Category:Religious organizations established in 1990