Ukraine moves to create its own Orthodox church out of Russia's orbit
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
One of Christianity's biggest splits in centuries is expected to be formalized this weekend as Ukraine moves to create a new church independent from Russia's influence.
It’s estimated that more than 70 percent of Ukrainians — or nearly 32 million people — identify as religious . The overwhelming majority of them are Orthodox Christian. But they don’t all pray in the same churches.
There are currently three separate branches of the Orthodox church in Ukraine, including one under the control of the patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church.
But in the wake of Russian aggression along Ukraine’s eastern border and its annexation of Crimea in 2014, the Ukrainian government has been working to reduce Moscow's role within the country.
On Saturday, officials from the three bodies are due to meet to agree on the new independent Orthodox church's charter and elect its leader.
The gathering comes at a time of escalating military tensions between the two countries following Russia’s seizure of three Ukrainian vessels in the Black Sea.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has been a proponent of the formation of the new church, accusing the Moscow-backed faction of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of being a tool of the Kremlin to spread propaganda and foster Russian expansionism.
“The creation of an independent Ukrainian Orthodox church is a necessary attribute of nation-building,” Poroshenko told Ukrainian channel ICTV , adding that a chance at religious independence is an “opportunity that arises once in a millennium.”
However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has branded Poroshenko's efforts a “gross interference of the government in the affairs of the church .”
Poroshenko addressed such sentiments in a tweet this month, saying that “believers will choose for themselves which churches they will go to."
However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov suggested Russia would move to “protect the interests of the faithful” in Ukraine “just as Russia defends the interests of Russians and Russian speakers."
Peskov said any measures would be diplomatic in nature and would follow only if there are religious prosecutions. However, such language sparked alarm in Ukraine because it's similar to the justification previously used by Russian President Vladimir Putin for Moscow-backed interventions in Crimea and eastern Ukraine.
Orthodox Christianity is the dominant religion in both Russia and Ukraine and is seen as one of the few remaining unifying forces between the two nations.
Russia and Ukraine trace their Orthodox Christian roots to the same event — the conversion of pagan Prince Vladimir the Great to Christianity in 988.
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Truly the meaning of Separation of Church and state. But this means much more. Where will this lead?
Sadly, it will probably lead to sectarian violence and bloodshed.
Been going on since 2014.
This doesn't help in the east.
Very true.
I have to agree with you this will probably lead to violence. Such a radical change in the church will not please everyone. I know that Ukraine wants to make it clear to Moscow that they will not be annexed, but breaking away from the actual church, is an act against the faith, and I am not sure that the people are really for that.
Agreed on both accounts.
It seems like it's more of a political act - one the Ukrainian church feels obligated to make because the church in Moscow has itself gone political. I think that's a shame, but I don't blame the Ukrainians. If the Russian Orthodox Church really is becoming a political creature, then the Ukrainians should break away.
They can always reunify in the future if this course is corrected. That does happen now and then. The history of the Christian Church isn't all about schism, though it seems like we end up talking about that more than the other.
It's all seems very sad. The Communists decimated the church 100 years ago and I was so heartened to see it recover after the fall of the Soviet Union. Now we have this.
It is a political decision on the Ukraine side to cut ties. Gotta go, Back later.
I would have to agree.
I would have to agree again.
Poroshenko is and has been trailing Yulia Tymoshenko in the polls and has begun raising the rhetoric level.
Martial law.
"Outlawing" friendships with Russia.
This.
Tymoshenko is not sliding backwards.
Us putting Ukraine into the situation they find themselves in now hasn't helped much either.
I agree Dave. The thing is we put them into this situation and are offering no real help. That makes it easier to ramp things up in the Ukraine. Unlike the Crimea, who welcomed the Russians, the Ukraine want Russia to know that they better not think they will be the next annexation, but do they have the bite to back up that bark?
"We" actually pulled support last May. I don't want to get into the economics rolling through my head, which are not provable at this point, yet I consider responsible for "our" pull of support.
This topic is something I have meant to discuss with Julia and Irina for a bit now, but other things are more immediate when we talk while they are on their periodic (18 month seems to be) banishment to their home country for a month and a half or two to satisfy some bs bureaucracy.
So we spend our time with other things, such as finishing the Hunger Games Trilogy. We are at part 1 of Mockingjay "tonight" - Now ET.
So this is a chance to give a forewarning I am a bit of a Mr. Hyde these days. I rewrite some of my posts a few times these days before posting.
After the movie I want to touch base with her about this, but no guarantees.
As far as the forces of Ukraine repelling Russia, the unfortunate thing is, it is those Blood and Earth RW extremists who are doing one of the better jobs of standing in the way and repelling the Russian advances, For the press, they are Army Regulars. A little research proves otherwise. Google exists in Ukraine too.
Also,to be considered is the descendants are mainly in Ukraine, if my history is correct. They were the "Hessians" of Russia. They were the ones who marched across Ukraine and held off the bloody, murderous bastards of Lenin (the great charismatic revolutionary) AND held off 2 other forces converging on Ukraine at the time, until logistics just flat ran out.
Are the Blood and Earth groups those descendants?
I don't know. Julia Hates it Irina Hates and our friends hate it.
Sorry for the rambling, I have to go. I will try to return in a few hours with a clear mind after Julia is in dreamland.
Another case of my sloppy ass typing.
COSSACKs, COSSACKs, COSSACKs
Cossacks were the reason that my paternal grandmother's family left Odessa and came to Canada. Little did she know, she would find herself married to a New Yorker and have an Indian mother in law...
Life is strange that way.
Fascinating.
Though parts of the situation were probably not very pleasant at the time.
Yet, here you are.
Well, we watched as much of the movie as we could until bedtime and then said good morning and i wished her a nice day.
Still didn't get around to the politics and the church.
Unfortunately, my schedule on Monday will prevent bedtime discussion with either Julia or Irina and, of course, when we talk more immediate topics will come before church and politics...one would think those things would be easy to discuss, but really they are second tier.
Well Dave,
Family before blogging. Even for me! And these situations don't go away, so there is always another day to discuss it.
This is true and I guess the better for it. I think I have a broader world perspective because of it. So I guess things worked out well in that respect.
Julia sends her love.
The idea that the church in Moscow is promoting military expansion is sad. That should not be their focus.
Absolutely CORRECT.
Well, it doesn't sound very spiritual.
No, it is not.
All major religious faiths claim to be the 'one true faith' but political events can cause a 'true faith' to suddenly change to another church? Kind of proves to me that religions are nothing but political entities doesn't it?