Einige Geistliche und Laien der Ukrainischen Orthodoxen Kirche (UOK) haben sich an den Ökumenischen Patriarchen Bartholomaios gewandt und um die Einrichtung von Gemeinden gebeten, die direkt dem Patriarchat von Konstantinopel unterstehen. Diese könnten als vorübergehende „spirituelle Brücke“ fungieren, sie seien keine Alternative zu einer vereinten orthodoxen Kirche in der Ukraine, sondern ein Weg zur Vereinigung ohne Angst und neue Spaltungen. In ihrem Brief anerkennen die Verfasser die Entsc…

Hochrangige katholische Kirchenvertreter aus Polen und der Ukraine haben im aktuellen Streit zwischen den beiden Ländern zu Versöhnung aufgerufen. Angesichts wachsender gegenseitiger Spannungen zwischen Polen und Ukrainern gelte es, "die Sprache zu entwaffnen" und den mit dem Segen des heiligen Johannes Paul II. (1978-2005) eingeschlagenen Weg des Dialogs fortzusetzen, heißt es in einer am Montag veröffentlichten Gemeinsamen Erklärung zu den polnisch-ukrainischen Beziehungen. Der Kiewer Großerz…

Ukrainian-Polish relations often resemble a roller coaster. The highs of enthusiasm during the revolutionary Maidan protests are followed by the emotional lows of the anniversaries of the Volhynia tragedy. The brotherly embraces at the beginning of Russia’s full-scale aggression have given way to intolerance and ultimatums. This is mentioned in a statement from the Rector's Office of the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) published on the university's website. "Although it might seem that ou…

During its visit to Brussels, Belgium, on June 22, a delegation from the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO) met with experts and representatives from the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) and the Conference of European Churches (CEC). This information was published on the UCCRO's website. In the first half of the day, the UCCRO delegation participated in a roundtable discussion entitled “Faith in the Context of Enlargement: Th…

Russia has damaged 740 religious buildings in Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky made this statement during the Constitution Day celebrations, according to Ukrinform. "Ukraine's places of worship have been wounded and attacked by evil, riddled with Russian bullets, and shattered by GBUs and missiles. This includes both famous cathedrals in large cities and small churches in our villages — churches, mosques, and synagogues. In total, 740 religious buildings in Ukraine have been targeted…

Der Generalsekretär des Ökumenischen Rats der Kirchen, Pastor Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay hat nach einer massiven Angriffswelle mit Raketen und Drohnen, bei der mindestens zehn Menschen ums Leben gekommen sind und mehr als 30 verletzt wurden, ein sofortiges Ende der russischen Invasion in der Ukraine gefordert.  Darüber hinaus richtete die Angriffswelle schwere Schäden an der zentralen Kathedrale des Kyjiwer Höhlenklosters (Mariä-Entschlafens-Kathedrale) an, das UNESCO-Welterbestätte ist und i…

Bei massiven russischen Angriffen Russlands auf die Ukraine in der Nacht vom 14. auf den 15. Juni ist auch das historische Kyjiwer Höhlenkloster getroffen worden. Dabei geriet unter anderem die Hauptkirche des Komplexes, die Maria-Entschlafens-Kathedrale, in Brand. Erst am Morgen des 15. Juni gelang es der Feuerwehr, den Brand im Dach der Kathedrale zu löschen. Mindestens 13 Personen wurden auf dem Areal des Kyjiwer Höhlenklosters verletzt und fünf weitere Gebäude des Komplexes beschädigt. Laut…

80% of Ukrainians support breaking ties between the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Russian Orthodox Church. Additionally, 62% of those surveyed support a law that would prohibit the activities of religious organizations associated with Russia, the aggressor state. According to a survey conducted by the sociological group “Rating,” 68% of Ukrainians consider the level of religious freedom in Ukraine to be high, while 27% view it as low. This information was reported by LB. The majority…

Zu einem globalen Gebet für Frieden in der Ukraine haben sich am 11. Juni Ortskirchen in der Ukraine, Führungskräfte des Ökumenische Rates der Kirchen (ÖRK) und Menschen guten Willens aus aller Welt im Rahmen einer Online-Zusammenkunft im Geist über große Entfernungen vereint. In seiner Begrüßungsansprache hat Bischof Sándor Zán Fábián von der Reformierten Kirche in Transkarpatien, der ebenfalls Vorsitzender des Gesamtukrainischen Rates der Kirchen und religiösen Organisationen ist, über die W…

Ukrainian religious leaders have urged the governments of democratic nations to intensify sanctions against Russia. This call to action comes from the members of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO) in response to yet another round of heavy shelling of Ukraine by the aggressor. The Statement was published on June 2 on the official website of the UCCRO. "Only determined and consistent military and other forms of support for Ukraine can stop the inhumane Rus…

Viktor Yelenskyi, Head of the State Service of Ukraine on Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience (DESS), advocates for the expulsion of the Russian Orthodox Church from the World Council of Churches. He argues that the Church's activities directly contradict the fundamental principles of Christianity. This was reported by Interfax-Ukraine. "The Moscow Patriarchate is both an enemy of religious freedom and a foe of Ukraine. Its aim is to suppress the dignified expression of religious sent…

During May 13–14, 2026, Ukrainian cities across the country — Kyiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Odesa, Rivne, Lutsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, Uzhhorod, Lviv, and others — once again came under massive attacks by Russian missiles and drones. As a result of these terrorist attacks and crimes against humanity, many people, including children, were killed and injured. Apartment buildings, private homes, and civilian infrastructure facilities were destroyed. The Russian Federation, while being a “permanent member” o…

This week, ambassadors from the European Union will discuss a "mini-package" of sanctions that may include Kirill Gundyaev, the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. This was reported by European Pravda, citing Euronews. The new sanctions package targets approximately ten individuals previously protected by the former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's government, as well as several Russian vessels. Hungary’s new government has reportedly signaled a willingness to allow the European U…

Ein ukrainisches Appellationsgericht hat eine Klage der Metropolie Kyjiw der Ukrainischen Orthodoxen Kirche (UOK) gegen den Staatsdienst der Ukraine für Ethnopolitik und Gewissensfreiheit und dessen Leiter, Viktor Yelenskyi, teilweise gutgeheißen. Der Staatsdienst habe einen substanziellen Verfahrensfehler begangen, indem er nicht auf ein Statement der Metropolie vom 10. Januar 2023 eingegangen sei. In dem Statement hatte die Metropolie die Zusammensetzung der Expertengruppe kritisiert, die vom…

The Spring Plenary Assembly of COMECE (the Commission of the Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union) took place in Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, from April 21 to 24. Bishop Stepan Sus represented the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church at this event. This was reported by the Pastoral and Migration Department of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. The Assembly addressed several key contemporary challenges, including the situation in the Middle East and the Holy Land, issues rel…

The Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO), which includes Orthodox, Greek Catholic, Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Evangelical churches, as well as Jewish and Muslim religious associations, welcomes the bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. Congress, “Countering Russia’s War on Faith Act.” This bill proposes the establishment of a mechanism to monitor the actions of the Russian Federation aimed at persecuting, suppressing, and violating the religious freedom of fa…

The Metropolis of Sweden and all Scandinavia of the Patriarchate of Constantinople announced the ordination of two new clergy members, including Fr. Andriy Pinchuk, a former clergyman of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). "Their participation is aimed at further supporting and strengthening the Metropolis's missionary and pastoral ministry across Scandinavia. This voluntary commitment exemplifies a true ecclesiastical ethos and a selfless love for one's neighbor," the Metropolis's statem…

Member states condemned Russia for violating international law, including attacks on World Heritage sites. The UNESCO Executive Board adopted a resolution for an emergency assistance program for Ukraine. This was reported by LB.ua, citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. "The member states of the Executive Board have reaffirmed their solidarity with Ukraine in addressing the consequences of Russia's full-scale war against our country. They called on the Director-General of…

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine appreciates the passing of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly resolution on "Countering Discrimination Based on Religion and Protecting Freedom of Religion or Belief in Europe." This was reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The MFA emphasized that Ukraine is committed to promoting freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, which are fundamental human rights protected by the European Convention on Human Rights. Achieving…

Half of the Ukrainians surveyed identify as members of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, while three percent align with the Moscow Patriarchate. A recent survey conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS), reported by Interfax-Ukraine, has revealed insights into religious affiliation in Ukraine. According to the findings, 50% of respondents identify as members of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). Additionally, 9% identify as members of the Orthodox Church witho…