The Latest Breaking News from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Ukraine moves to ban Orthodox church it claims is linked with Moscow

The Ukrainian Parliament outlawed the Moscow-based Russian Orthodox Church, citing its strong support for Russia's invasion

The Independent UK · Sep 5, 2025

'No Matter The Faith': East Ukraine Marks Epiphany Despite War Divide

Military medic Natalya carried a jug of water blessed by priests at the Sviatogirsk monastery in east Ukraine as she celebrated Orthodox Epiphany in a Russian-affiliated church, despite the war.

International Business Times · Jan 20, 2025

Top Ukraine cleric pleads with Starmer for help over Zelensky’s Orthodox church crackdown

Exclusive: Prime minister has been criticised for delaying his appointment of a new envoy for religious freedom

The Independent UK · Oct 19, 2024

Ukraine's parliament advances bill seen as targeting Orthodox church with historic ties to Moscow

Ukraine’s parliament has overwhelmingly voted to advance legislation seen as effectively banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church over its ties to Moscow

The Independent UK · Oct 19, 2023

Angry Russia refuses to speak at UN meeting on its attacks on Ukraine's key port city of Odesa.

In an escalation of Russia’s anger at Ukraine and its Western backers, Russia refused to speak at a U.N. Security Council meeting called to discuss Moscow’s recent attacks on Odesa

The Independent UK · Jul 26, 2023

Putin’s troops unleash missile strikes on Odesa as Orthodox cathedral damaged

At least one person has been killed and 22 others wounded in early morning strikes on the Black Sea port

The Independent UK · Jul 23, 2023

‘This is barbarism’: shock at Russian strike on Odesa cathedral

Congregation rallies to clear rubble and save precious icons as prayers held outside

The Guardian - UK · Jul 23, 2023

Church accused of Moscow ties expelled from two parishes in western Ukraine

A Ukrainian branch of the Orthodox church accused of ties with Russia was expelled from the premises of two places of worship on Wednesday amid rising public anger against the organisation 14 months into Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Reuters · Apr 5, 2023

Russia demands that Ukraine free Orthodox 'martyr' cleric from house arrest

Russia on Wednesday demanded that Ukraine free a top Orthodox cleric placed under house arrest by a Kyiv court this month in connection with allegations he had glorified Russia's invasion and stoked religious divisions.

Reuters · Apr 5, 2023

Russia says US behind Ukraine's pressure on Moscow-linked Orthodox church

Russia's Foreign Ministry said late on Sunday that the U.S. was behind the pressure that Ukrainian authorities have been exerting on the Russian-aligned wing of the Orthodox Church in Kyiv.

Reuters · Apr 2, 2023