In the dispute over the famous Kiev hilltop monastery, Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of the National Security Council, is putting pressure on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC): it should distance itself from Russia. And he chooses clear words: “If you have no relations with Russia, then officially renounce yourself, say that Putin is Satan,” Danilov said on television on Tuesday. Kirill, the patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), is also a devil.
There is always tension between the Ukrainian government and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The background: Until May 2022, she was part of the Russian Orthodox Church, which supports the war against Ukraine. Patriarch Kirill described the war as a “metaphysical” struggle against evil.
In May 2022, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church officially renounced and became independent. But the ROK still claims many sanctuaries in Ukraine, and their ideological influence could be great. The Ukrainian government in particular fears this. “We will never allow anyone to create an empire within the Ukrainian soul,” Zelenskyi said in early December.
The UOK is suspected of not having severed all connections to Russia. Because of “subversive measures by the Russian secret services in Ukraine,” armed police officers searched the Kiev Cave Monastery in November, and priests were arrested or wanted. Eventually, the lease was terminated, and at the turn of the year the UOK is supposed to get out of the “Petscherska Lavra,” as the monastery in Kyiv is called. This is now being argued about.
The Kiev Cave Monastery is one of the most important sights of the Ukrainian capital. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990.
(Photo: Gleb Garanich/REUTERS)
The head of the cave monastery, Pavel Lebed, accused Zelensky of putting pressure on the orthodox Christians. Lebed said in a video message on Tuesday: “We’re fed up with the enemy striking at our people, we’re fed up with the misery and sadness when people starve in the cold and without light.” In the direction of Zelensky, he adds: “Do you also want to take away people’s faith? Do you want to take away their last hope? Don’t do that.”
Lebed wants the UOC to keep its premises and hold services. On January 7th, Orthodox Christians in Ukraine usually celebrate Christmas. In protest, many celebrated this year on December 25th. Many Ukrainians have recently spoken out in favor of officially putting Christmas on December 25 – this will bring them closer to the West.