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…

Der ukrainische Präsident Volodymyr Zelenskyj hat einen Waffenstillstand über die Osterfeiertage vorgeschlagen. Sein Land sei zu jeder Art von Waffenstillstand bereit, ob vollständig oder in Bezug auf die Energieversorgung oder hinsichtlich Energie und Lebensmittelsicherheit, er hänge nur von Russland ab. Natürlich wären Gespräche über einen dauerhaften Waffenstillstand und ein Ende des Kriegs besser, aber die Ukraine sei zu Kompromissen bereit, außer zu Kompromissen bezüglich ihrer Staatswürde…

Der Apostolische Nuntius in Kyjiw, Erzbischof Visvaldas Kulbokas, hat zu Ostern zu internationaler Solidarität aufgerufen. In einem Interview mit der katholischen Nachrichtenagentur SIR kritisiert Kulbokas die Schwäche der Diplomatie. Es brauche die Stimme des Papstes. Nicht nur in Bezug auf die Ukraine bestehe weltweit die Tendenz, „noch mehr Chaos zu säen als zuvor“. In diesem Chaos seien „neue globale Akteure“ versucht, „auf Atomwaffen zurückzugreifen“, so der Nuntius. In diesem Kontext brau…

Großerzbischof Svajtoslav Schevtschuk, Oberhaupt der Ukrainischen Griechisch-Katholischen Kirche, hat in seiner wöchentlichen Videobotschaft wieder mehr internationale Aufmerksamkeit für die ökologischen und humanitären Folgen des Krieges in der Ukraine gefordert. Laut Vatican News kritisierte er, dass die Berichterstattung über „Verbrechen gegen Mensch und Umwelt“ zunehmend aus den Schlagzeilen der Weltmedien verschwinde. Schevtschuk hob die Situation in Charkiw hervor, das er als „Vorposten…

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky held a phone call with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV at a time when the Russians once again struck Ukraine with hundreds of “shaheds” and dozens of missiles. This was reported on the president's website. The Head of State emphasized that the attack has effectively continued in waves since the night before, with at least five regions already targeted by Russia. “Not a single hour of peace for our people, and this is Russia’s response to our proposal…

Das langjährige Oberhaupt der Ukrainischen Orthodoxen Kirche – Kyjiwer Patriarchat und „Ehrenpatriarch“ der Orthodoxen Kiche der Ukraine (OKU) Filaret (Denysenko), ist am 20. März 97-jährig verstorben. Die Trauerfeierlichkeiten unter der Leitung von Metropolit Epifanij (Dumenko), dem Oberhaupt der OKU, fanden im Kloster des Erzengels Michael in Kyjiw statt, bestattet wurde Filaret in der Krypta der Volodymyr-Kathedrale. Hunderte Menschen nahmen im Michaelskloster Abschied vom früheren Patriarch…

Bei einem russischen Drohnenangriff ist am 24. März ein Wohnhaus in Lwiw getroffen worden und in Brand geraten. Das Gebäude ist Teil des ehemaligen Bernhardinerklosters, ein Architekturdenkmal, das zum UNESCO-Weltkulturerbe „Lwiw – Ensemble des historischen Zentrums“ gehört. Direkt daneben befindet sich die Kirche des Hl. Andreas, deren Turm beschädigt wurde. Berichten zufolge gab es mindestens zwei Schwerverletzte. Zudem wurden beim gleichen Angriff weitere Gebäude in Lwiw von Drohnen getroffe…

On 13 March 2026, representatives of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO) in London met with the President of the Conference of European Churches (CEC), Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain (Ecumenical Patriarchate). The meeting was also attended by a representative of the Church of England, the Chair of the Committee of the Anglican and Eastern Churches Association, the Reverend Canon Dr William Taylor. This is reported on the UCCRO's official…

On March 12, 2026, a delegation of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO) held meetings in London at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and at the Embassy of Ukraine, and also participated in an event at the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House). According to the official website of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, UCCRO representatives met with Paul Walters, Head of the Ukraine Department at the U…

In seiner neuesten Umfrage zur Religiosität in der Ukraine kommt das Razumkov-Zentrum in Kyjiw zu dem Ergebnis, dass sich ein Großteil der ukrainischen Bevölkerung weiterhin als gläubig betrachtet. Dabei spielt auch das Kriegsgeschehen eine Rolle: Der Anteil der Personen, die sich selbst als gläubig bezeichnen, stieg sowohl 2014 nach der Annexion der Krim und dem Beginn der Kämpfe in der Ostukraine – von 67 auf 76 Prozent der Befragten –, als auch 2022 nach der russischen Großinvasion auf 74 Pr…