Kosmach Parish Accuses OCU Monks of Supporting “Russian World” Ideas

Monks of the Holy Trinity Monastery of Bania-Bereziv. Photo: svyato-troyitskiy-cholovichiy-monastir.com

KOSMACH, UKRAINE — As reported by UOJ-Ukraine, a local conflict within the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) has escalated as OCU parishioners of the village of Kosmach accused OCU monks of the Holy Trinity Monastery of Bania-Bereziv of supporting so-called “Russian world” ideas. According to local media, some parishioners claim the monks have used pro-Russian rhetoric and interfered in the community’s transition to the New (Gregorian) calendar.

The dispute intensified following a Divine Liturgy on January 19, 2026, celebrated by Abbot Afanasiy according to the Julian calendar. Critics allege that prayers were not offered for the war or for the Ukrainian armed forces, which some residents interpreted as a “non-Ukrainian position.” These actions deepened mistrust and sparked accusations that the monastery is promoting foreign ideological influence within the parish.

The Bania-Bereziv Monastery previously opposed calendar reform in August 2023, arguing that the Old (Julian) calendar is an essential part of Ukrainian spiritual heritage and warning that abandoning it would weaken tradition. Some Kosmach residents, however, view the monks’ stance as interference in parish affairs and a source of division.

Previously, the UOJ reported that a U.S. State Department official discussed religious freedom in Ukraine. 

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