UOC of the Moscow Patriarchate has isolated itself from society, - the Head of the UGCC

This was stated in an interview with the Italian media outlet Il Foglio by the Head of the UGCC, Sviatoslav Shevchuk.

"The pain of war has united many Christians in Ukraine. Christian solidarity in the face of military adversity goes beyond denominations and differences. That is why Churches and religious organizations in Ukraine seek to cooperate to respond to the challenges that the war poses to us every day. As for the Orthodox Church in unity with the Moscow Patriarchate, I must note that this Church feels great discomfort in Ukrainian society. Ukrainian society decisively rejects any form of connection, both de jure and de facto, with Russia and the 'Russian world'," he said.

According to the Head of the UGCC, the actions of the Ukrainian authorities regarding the UOC MP reflect the demands of Ukrainian civil society.

"In the conditions of war, the Ukrainian state feels an urgent duty to guarantee its national security on various fronts, including the religious one. And when the Patriarch of Moscow justifies and calls on the Russian people to war against Ukraine, the Ukrainian authorities consider it necessary to review the activities of the Orthodox Church associated with this Patriarch in our country," emphasized His Beatitude Sviatoslav.

Representatives of Churches and religious organizations, as noted by the Head of the UGCC, closely monitor Ukrainian legislation regarding relations with the religious world.

"Therefore, any attempt to prohibit any religious denomination in Ukraine, as long as it does not pose a threat to national security and the common good, causes concern for us. Moreover, I tried to explain to our authorities that the prohibition of the Moscow Patriarchate Church in Ukraine does not mean the cessation of its existence because the Church is not just a legal organization with its structure, statute, and management center in Moscow. The Church is primarily people. Therefore, the Ukrainian state has the right and duty to guarantee its national security, but it must approach religious freedom issues with great delicacy," emphasized the Primate.

"However, there is another problem - the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate has isolated itself from society. For example, this year Ukraine celebrates Christmas on December 25 for the first time, not on January 7, as it has been happening in Russia. This decision is supported by the civil authorities and church communities, except for the Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. 'Finally together,' as stated in the announcement of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations," added the Head of the UGCC Sviatoslav.