By Ivo Kokić
Until recently, Ukraine had two Orthodox Churches: the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), founded in the 10th century (in 988), and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, recognized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in 2018. Before it was banned, the UOC was significantly larger than the Orthodox Church of Ukraine—it gathered the largest number of believers in the country. It should also be noted that the UOC severed all ties with the Moscow Patriarchate back in 2022.
In August 2024, the Ukrainian parliament (the Verkhovna Rada) passed a law banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The law was supported by 265 out of 450 MPs. The decision was immediately harshly condemned by the Vatican, with then-Pope Francis declaring that prayer is not a crime. However, no louder condemnation came from the West apart from that.
Official justification for the ban of the UOC
It is not an everyday occurrence for a state to ban the largest (or any) Church in the country. The Ukrainian government justified the move by claiming that the UOC is a pro-Russian Church—that it spreads Russian propaganda.
If some truly believe that what is written in the Gospel is pro-Russian propaganda and that the UOC is a pro-Russian Church, fine. Let them try to explain that to themselves. Let us remember that, by their criteria, not only the UOC is pro-Russian, but so is Pope Francis (and therefore the Vatican). But instead of stooping to their level and providing arguments to disprove such claims, one must do the opposite. One only needs to recall Jesus’ words: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven! For in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Mt 5:11–12)
One must also reflect on a political issue. As already mentioned, the Ukrainian parliament has 450 members. The ban was supported by 265 of them—slightly less than 60%. What about the remaining 40%+ of Ukrainian MPs? Are they also Russian agents? Should they too be banned from political participation because they sided with the Church?
We have come to the point where considering that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has the right to exist is labeled as a pro-Russian stance.
The real explanation for the ban of the UOC
Common sense raises the following question: why did Volodymyr Zelensky ban the UOC? Let us not forget that his rule is in no real danger. He has imposed a military dictatorship, banned many opposition parties, and suspended elections (presidential and parliamentary) indefinitely. As Donald Trump said correctly, Zelensky is a mediocre comedian and a dictator. The Church certainly could not overthrow him. So why did he need this? As Jesus said in a vision to St Paul (before Paul/Saul converted): “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:4)
Tucker Carlson interviewed Vladimir Putin in February 2024. At that time, the UOC had not yet been formally banned, but it had long been persecuted by the Ukrainian government. In the interview, Putin addressed this issue, attempting to explain why Zelensky persecutes the UOC. He said that Orthodoxy, that is, the Church, reminds Ukrainians of everything they share with Russians and keeps them connected. Orthodoxy is the foundation that unites them and symbolizes their historical unity that cannot be separated. This is true, and as the author of this analysis, I will go a step further.
Something else is just as important as the cultural connection of the two nations. If Ukrainians go to church every Sunday to listen to the Gospel and the priest’s sermon—that, from Zelensky’s perspective, is equivalent to anti-state activity. Although there are clerics who are regime apologists, there are certainly many who sincerely preach the teachings of Jesus. And the acceptance of those teachings by the faithful can completely ruin Zelensky’s plans. If the people accept Christian teaching as true, then all propaganda becomes futile. Let us also recall that in Orthodox liturgy people pray for the unity of all Orthodox Christians. In other words, they pray precisely for the thing Zelensky seeks to destroy. Zelensky suppresses every voice of hope, peace and reason so that hatred between nations may be inflamed. He did so even before the escalation of the war in 2022.
Putin’s argument is valid from a historical-political standpoint, whereas mine is an upgrade from a moral-theological standpoint.
Is Zelensky’s next step the introduction of state atheism?
From a Western perspective, it may seem strange that someone persecutes both leftists and the Church at the same time. But Zelensky has otherwise proven that he decisively and fearlessly implements the DŠD policy (“give whatever you’ve got”). There is no reason why God Himself should not eventually end up on his list for persecution.
Apparently, God is also obviously pro-Russian. To begin with, He altered the trajectory of a bullet headed for Trump’s head, saving his life. After that, He answered prayers for Trump’s return to power. And then He allowed Tulsi Gabbard to become head of the US intelligence community. It is clear that God does not wish to align His actions with Ukrainian politics. By Zelensky’s criteria, God is certainly a Russophile.
Therefore, perhaps the Ukrainian parliament should pass a law stating that God no longer exists. There is no doubt that such a move would seriously undermine God’s control over the universe.
It would be no surprise if Zelensky issued a decree abolishing God’s existence. It would suit him well, for then he would not have to answer for his (evil) deeds after death. One should be prepared for the possibility of a decree stating that God no longer exists. Just as God will one day decide that Zelensky no longer exists, though in a far more efficient manner.
We know that some countries are not secular but have a de facto state religion. In such states, worldly and religious authority are united in the same person. An example is the United Kingdom, where the monarch is both a head of state and the Supreme Governor of the Church of England. Of course, even though Anglicanism is the official religion, the freedoms of other religious communities are not threatened.
Zelensky could create the inverse example of the United Kingdom. If one confession there is official, Zelensky could make the government’s official stance on religion a state atheism. And if the inversion were fully respected, no freedom of religion would be guaranteed to those who think otherwise.
A Christian view of the persecution of the Church
What all persecutors of Christians have ignored is that the Church is not only an official institution but above all a community of believers. It is easy to ban something formally, but much harder to break the bonds among people whose unity is rooted in faith in God.
The Church has survived everything— from persecution in the Roman Empire to Stalin. Zelensky is therefore not innovative. In fact, Stalin was at least cunning enough to soften (or rather pause) the persecution of the Church during World War II to unify the nation for national defense. In contrast, Zelensky used war precisely to further fragment his people’s unity.
Christians in Ukraine today are persecuted, but they should not be afraid. The worst Zelensky (and this world in general) can do is take someone’s life. But Jesus defeated death; He destroyed their greatest weapon.
Jesus said: “Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.” (Mk 8:35)
This awareness is why the early Christians stood fearlessly when thrown to lions and other wild beasts. To die for Jesus was not a defeat—it was the pinnacle of what they could do. Those who threw them to the lions obviously thought they were inflicting defeat. But they were wrong. As early Christian writer Tertullian said, the blood of martyrs is the seed of new Christians. Where they were once thrown to the lions (Rome) now stands the seat of the largest denomination (Catholicism) within the world’s largest religion (Christianity).
The last of the eight Beatitudes reads: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!” Therefore Zelensky is mistaken if he thinks he is harming Christians. He harms them from a materialistic, worldly perspective, but he lacks the insight into the deeper spiritual dimension behind it. If Zelensky had any ideals (even misguided ones) for which he would be ready to die, he would understand the value of sacrifice.
Conclusion
Everything Zelensky is doing to Ukrainian Christians has long been foreseen as a part of Christian life. Suffering, darkness and sorrow in this world are already assigned to Christians (or at least exist as a possibility they must be prepared for). Zelensky is merely helping them fulfill this, giving meaning to their suffering. And afterward comes their eternal reward.
