Russians spread fake news about the creation of a new Church in Ukraine

16 August, 18:15

Russian propagandists are spreading information about a new church, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Constantinople Patriarchate, that is allegedly going to be registered in Ukraine.

The Russians refer to the words of former Ukrainian MP Ihor Mosiychuk, 1kr.ua reports.

“Instead of promoting the unification of Ukrainian Orthodoxy and the formation of the Kyiv Patriarchate, our government is running from Moscow to Istanbul,” the former MP wrote on his social media page.

Mosiychuk does not provide any evidence to support his statement.

According to church canons, there is to be one unified Orthodox Church on the territory of Ukraine, and it is already the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. In May 2023, the court recognized the affiliation of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate with the Russian Orthodox Church. Believers of the UOC-MP are invited to join the OCU. Therefore, the creation of the Church of the Constantinople Patriarchate makes no sense.

Russians spread fake news about the creation of a new Church in Ukraine - фото 138621

“The Russians are spreading this “info” about the new Church to destabilize the religious situation in Ukraine and sow distrust in the Ukrainian authorities and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, as well as to preserve the influence of the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine and stop the transition of communities to the OCU,” the publication notes.

The National Security Council, the Center for Countering Disinformation, together with the Security Service of Ukraine, published a list of TikTok channels that spread hostile propaganda, and Mosiychuk's channel is among them.

Tags: #Russia #Fakes #Russian propaganda #Ecumenical Patriarchate