Why Moscow and Kyiv Both Persecute the UOC
Having declared its independence from the Moscow Patriarchate following the invasion, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church faces persecution from the Russian government as well as their own.
Readers may have noticed that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church—i.e., the canonical church—is sometimes referred to as the "Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate" or "UOC-MP." These terms are used by the Ukrainian government and the schismatic Orthodox Church in Ukraine. They also appear in Western media and websites, including Wikipedia.
Those who advocate for the UOC are frequently identified with the MP as well. This includes the Union of Orthodox Journalists and the Society of St. John.
This characterization is completely wrong. In fact, it's more than wrong: it serves only to enable the persecution of the UOC by the Russian army and the Moscow Patriarchate.
Those who have been following the UOJ for some time will know that the canonical Church is frequently persecuted by the Kyiv government. What they may not realize is that, in occupied Ukraine, parishes are seized by the Russian invaders and "transferred" to the MP. The UOC's clergy are given a choice: join the new MP-backed structure or face banishment from their own villages.
Yes: the Russian government seeks to abolish the UOC in favor of the MP—just as the Ukrainian government seeks to abolish the UOC in favor of the OCU. Meanwhile, there is no government anywhere in the world standing up for Ukraine's indigenous Orthodox church.
It should also be pointed out that the UOC's leader, Metr. Onuphriy of Kyiv, ceased to commemorate Patr. Kirill of Moscow due to the latter's support for Russia's "special military operation." He has also called upon the UOC faithful to take up arms in defense of their homeland.
Thousands and thousands of UOC laymen have died serving in the Ukrainian armed forces. The Russians have arrested UOC priests for spying for Ukraine. Over half of UOC priests in Russian-occupied territory have chosen to step down rather than be absorbed into the Moscow Patriarchate.
This (again) is why we push back on terms like "UOC-MP." It serves only to justify Russia's belief that the Ukrainian Church is its property, and that it may do as it likes with her churches, monasteries, clergy, and laypeople.
This is also why we are so incensed by Patr. Bartholomew of Constantinople's refusal to "recognize" the UOC's autocephaly. As we said, Metr. Onuphiry has declared the UOC to be independent of the Moscow Patriarchate. And yet Bartholomew insists that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is part of the Moscow Patriarchate – and will remain so unless and until it is granted autocephaly by the Ecumenical Patriarch himself.
So, Bartholomew is also reinforcing Russia's position that it may treat Metr. Onuphiry and his clergy as traitors to the MP.
We will keep fighting the slanderous and ignorant rhetoric used against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which only serves to bolster Putin and Kirill's imperial ambitions. And we would urge anyone who believes in religious freedom and national sovereignty to do the same.
