Andrii Smyrnov: The worst for the UOC-MP has already happened
He stated this in a comment to LB.ua.
"The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate has lost the privileged status it previously enjoyed, especially during Viktor Yanukovych's presidency. According to sociological surveys, the Church has become increasingly unpopular and is now seen as toxic among the population," noted Smirnov.
"Representatives of the UOC-MP are not invited to meetings with state leaders or to gatherings of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations. They are barred from holding chaplain positions in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and are exempt from conscription. Additionally, 23 bishops are currently involved in various criminal proceedings. In short, the UOC-MP has lost its dominant position," he added.
The UOC-MP is already feeling the repercussions of this loss of influence.
"The most significant concern for the UOC-MP is the potential loss of its properties, particularly cultural and architectural monuments owned by the state or local communities. This process has already begun. For example, contracts have been terminated for the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, as well as for cathedrals in Chernihiv and Volodymyr in the Volyn region. In some cases, contracts have expired and have not been renewed, while the state is pursuing legal action for violations of heritage protection laws," Andrii Smyrnov emphasized.
