Ukraine's Church Landscape: Derussification and Religious Transition

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has sparked a pressing need for derussification, a process aimed at de-Russification of the country, including its religious landscape. This article explores the religious transition experienced by Ukrainians from the Eastern Orthodox Church to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. It also examines the reasons behind such changes and the reality of the situation on the ground.

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

Ukraine is a nation with a rich religious heritage, and its church landscape is multifaceted. The two largest churches that stand on pro-Ukrainian positions are:

Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU): Recognized by the Patriarch of the World Orthodox Church, and more popular in the Central and Eastern areas of Ukraine. The OCU is distinguishable from the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), which is not recognized by the OCU or the Constantinople-based Patriarchate. Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC): Historically dominating the Western areas of Ukraine, it is self-governed but recognizes Rome as the center of Christianity.

It's important to note that the Catholicity in Ukraine is a minority, just as it is in Russia, and the "Greek" designation can be misleading, as the term Eastern Orthodox is more accurate.

Derussification and Religious Conversion

While the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) has significant influence in some parts of Ukraine, the concept of a mass conversion of Ukrainians from the Eastern Orthodox Church to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is exaggerated. Not all Ukrainians are Christians, and many are secular. Religious lunatics do exist, but they are a minority in both nations. It is unlikely that derussification will result in a massive religious conversion, as it would be more likely driven by individual beliefs rather than a broader societal change.

The Role of the Law in Church Transitions

The law plays a crucial role in the transition of church parishes. A community of parishioners may decide on the transition to a different Church through an open voting procedure. Local governments are involved in overseeing the process, and the police ensure it adheres to legal regulations.

Since 2018, the OCU has established itself in many areas, but the ROC has proven to be a significant obstacle. The ROC, recognizing no canonical legitimacy in Ukraine, has been a point of contention, especially when it comes to the unification of churches.

The Ukrainian government has initiated a bill proposed by the EuroSolidarity Party (ES) to address the ROC's illegitimate and destructive role in Ukraine. The bill would effectively ban the ROC and confiscate its properties, placing church buildings back in the hands of the Ukrainian people. However, this bill has faced political resistance, primarily due to the influence of the Servant of the People party, which initially supported a pro-Russian stance.

The Controversial Role of Monasteries

Monasteries, unlike traditional churches, are more deeply entrenched and harder to displace. Occupied by obedient monks to their abbots, the lack of a ban on ROC means it is difficult for authorities to forcibly remove them. In Kyiv, for example, the struggle to kick out the ROC from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra was a long and contentious process, involving aggressive behavior, verbal attacks, and even physical violence from ROC supporters.

The Lavra, a significant historical and cultural landmark for Ukraine, had been occupied by ROC supporters, creating significant tension. Efforts to remove them involved a court order based on numerous violations of the law and rental contract. Although the government was eventually successful, this did not happen overnight and required a robust legal and political framework.

Conclusion

The process of derussification and religious transition in Ukraine is complex and multifaceted. While the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church play significant roles, the reality on the ground suggests that any changes would be slow and gradual, driven by individual decisions rather than a mass conversion. The government is actively working towards legal and political solutions to address the challenges posed by the ROC, but progress has been hindered by political resistance.