Both due to the other challenges Ukraine faces and because its leaders believe a democratic and European government should not become involved in religious affairs, Ukrainian officials have avoided tackling key issues of religion. But now Moscow Patriarch Kirill has left Kyiv with little choice by officially declaring (on May 24) that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate is no longer obligated to obey the “godless” Ukrainian authorities (EuroMaidan Press, May 25). Such a pronouncement is a direct challenge to Ukrainian sovereignty and an indication of just how important Russian control of Ukraine is for the Moscow Patriarchate …read more
Source: The Jamestown Foundation