Struggle for dominance between rival churches in Eastern Ukraine
In the heart of eastern Ukraine, a spiritual battle is unfolding between two Orthodox churches: the Kiev-backed Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) and the Moscow-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). This religious schism, playing out in towns like Kramatorsk, is a reflection of the broader political and cultural divide in the region.
Kramatorsk, a city steeped in nostalgia for the Soviet era, is home to a demographic primarily composed of elderly parishioners. However, the city's churches have become battlegrounds in this religious conflict.
Two priests, each representing a different Orthodox church, are vying for the loyalty of the local community. One, supported by the Ukrainian government and the OCU, stands in stark contrast to the other, who represents the older church building linked to Moscow. The identities of these clerics remain undisclosed in the available information.
Father Oleg, a Ukrainian military chaplain, is among those who believe Russia is using the Church as a political tool to influence people's minds. His concerns are not unfounded, as in July 2021, Metropolitan Onufriy, the head of the Moscow-backed UOC, was accused by Kiev of acquiring Russian citizenship.
The UOC denies having ties with the Kremlin and has condemned the war. Yet, many Ukrainians, particularly those in the east and older, Russian-speaking parishioners, remain hesitant to switch allegiances. Since the invasion, Ukrainian authorities have launched criminal proceedings against 180 UOC priests, often on suspicion of being Russian agents.
Archpriest Oleksandr Tkachuk of the OCU, on the other hand, stands out in his home town due to his pro-European views and appearance. His church, built in 2019, has fewer followers and has struggled to expand its flock. Tkachuk advocates for changes similar to the Catholics, such as installing pews instead of standing services.
The OCU was established in 2018 with Ukrainian government backing, while the UOC is an older church. The UOC no longer commemorates the Russian Orthodox Church's Patriarch Kirill, who has supported the invasion. Tkachuk's impassioned homilies to his congregation, a small but dedicated group, are a testament to his unwavering commitment to the OCU.
The Ukrainian government has sought to ban the UOC, accusing it of spreading Russian influence. This move, if successful, could further exacerbate the religious and political divisions in eastern Ukraine.
In the aftermath of Ukraine's pro-European 2014 revolution and Russia's 2022 invasion, many Ukrainians have cut ties with anything associated with Moscow. Mykola, a resident of Novopavlika, a village destroyed by Russian bombs in 2023, is one such individual. His son was killed during the revolution, and his decision to align with the OCU reflects a broader trend among Ukrainians seeking to distance themselves from Russia.
This spiritual struggle in eastern Ukraine is a microcosm of the broader political and cultural tensions in the region. As the two churches vie for the loyalty of the local population, the future of religious and political life in eastern Ukraine remains uncertain.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
