The State Service of Ukraine on Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) has approved a list of religious organizations in Ukraine affiliated with a foreign religious organization whose activities are prohibited in the country.
According to the DESS, the following religious organizations are included in the list: the Kyiv Metropolia of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Korets Holy Trinity Convent of the Moscow Patriarchate.
“These religious organizations are recognized as affiliated with a foreign religious structure whose activities are prohibited in Ukraine, which entails legal consequences as defined by law,” the agency stated.
On May 9, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the procedure for investigating signs of affiliation of a religious organization with a foreign religious structure whose activities are prohibited in Ukraine. This includes considering whether a religious organization is being used to promote the “Russian world” ideology.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC MP) has challenged in court the government's decision to approve this investigative procedure.
In July, the DESS reported that it had found signs of affiliation between the UOC MP and the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), which is prohibited in Ukraine. The agency also approved a list of religious organizations that are part of or affiliated with the UOC MP. On August 27, the DESS officially recognized the UOC MP as affiliated with the ROC.
At the end of October, the DESS identified signs of affiliation between the Korets Monastery of the MP and the Russian Orthodox Church.
On November 14, the DESS initiated an investigation into signs of affiliation between the Diocesan Administration of the Odesa Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad and a foreign religious organization whose activities are prohibited in Ukraine.