U.S. State Dept. Official Discusses Religious Freedom in Ukraine

U.S. Assistant Sec. of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Riley Barnes and Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Ukraine, Bishop Michael of Koman. Photo: Mission of the Stavropegion of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Ukraine/Facebook

KYIV — On January 6, 2026, the Stavropegion of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Ukraine received a visit from U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Riley M. Barnes. The American official was welcomed by the Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarch in Ukraine, Bishop Mykhailo of Comana (Anishchenko).

During the visit, Bishop Mykhailo led Barnes on an introductory tour of St. Andrew’s Church, the stavropegial church of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, presenting the history, contemporary ministry, and spiritual and cultural mission of the Stavropegion in Ukraine. Before the altar, the two offered a brief prayer for Ukraine and the United States, "raising petitions to the Lord for the gift of peace, the preservation of human life, and blessings for all who serve the cause of dignity and justice."

In subsequent discussions, the parties addressed humanitarian issues, religious freedom under the conditions of war and martial law, the situation of religious communities during the conflict, and the importance of sustained international solidarity to protect fundamental human rights and freedom of conscience.

This comes during a time of intense scrutiny of the Ukrainian government's treatment of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the country's largest and oldest denomination.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Bishop Mykhailo presented the U.S. official with publications from the Stavropegion’s educational and publishing work, including the New Testament in Ukrainian in a modern translation. The visit concluded with an exchange of commemorative gifts, and the Stavropegion expressed gratitude to Barnes for "his attention to the humanitarian needs of the Ukrainian people, as well as for his support of the values of freedom of religion, human dignity, and interstate cooperation at a time when peace and justice require the joint efforts of the entire international community."

Previously, UOJ reported on a document made by Ukrainian lobbyists which said the issue of religious freedom in Ukraine is their "Achilles heel."

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