RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
In Chernivtsi, Ukraine, state enforcement officials attempted to execute a court ruling transferring the Holy Spirit Cathedral from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. On September 10, 2026, an official stated that while the Moscow-linked group claimed no staff or property remained, police and witnesses found unidentified individuals blocking access. Consequently, the transfer was not completed voluntarily. Authorities plan to enforce the decision forcibly, warning of potential fines if the opposing group is proven to be the debtor. This follows previous tensions and earlier municipal decisions regarding land rights in the region.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇷🇺 Russia·
The Center for Public Monitoring, cited by RISU, argues that the Russian Orthodox Church is mobilizing society for war. A September 2026 cross-procession in Moscow featured relics of Prince Dmitry Donskoy and nationalist groups. The event aimed to demonstrate unity and justify the conflict. Patriarch Kirill and Archbishop Sava promoted narratives of national revival and spiritual strength. The analysis suggests the church collaborates with state propaganda and radical movements to create a transnational infrastructure supporting the Kremlin's political goals.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇵🇱 Poland·
On September 5, an unknown individual set fires at three locations in Legnica, Poland, including the grounds of a Ukrainian Greek Catholic parish. Witnesses reported seeing a man fleeing on an electric scooter. The Ukrainian Consulate in Wrocław expressed concern over an anti-Ukrainian inscription found nearby and urged Polish authorities to investigate potential hate crime motives. Consul Diana Ivanova visited the site, met with the parish priest, and discussed the incident with police. The parish, part of the Wrocław-Częstochowa Eparchy, has existed since 1957. Authorities are working to identify the suspect and determine if the arson was linked to the offensive graffiti.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇭🇺 Hungary·
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew received a symbolic icon from Ukraine during the inauguration of the Fanarion Center in Budapest, Hungary. The artwork, created by Father Kostiantyn, represents the Eucharist and the resilience of family life amid war. The event took place in the Hungarian capital, attended by Orthodox hierarchs, Catholic bishops, and diplomatic representatives from several nations. Patriarch Bartholomew emphasized that the new center demonstrates how Orthodoxy transcends national barriers. He stated that the facility will foster dialogue between theology, culture, and science, promoting spiritual values and Christian unity in the heart of Europe.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇬🇷 Greece·
The Ecumenical Patriarch has invited the heads of the ancient Eastern patriarchates to a fraternal meeting on November 30 in Greece. According to RISU, the invitation was announced during a speech at an international congress in Sofia. The invitees are Patriarchs Theodore II of Alexandria, John X of Antioch, and Theophilos III of Jerusalem. The gathering aims to address current challenges facing the Church. The Patriarch also highlighted the significance of the title 'Patriarch of the West' for Orthodox-Catholic dialogue. The date honors Apostle Andrew, the patron of the Constantinopolitan Church.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
The Russian Orthodox Church has moved a reliquary containing a fragment of St. Dmitry Donskoy’s right hand to the combat zone in Ukraine. According to the Moscow Times and the Church’s synodal department, the relics are traveling to the line of contact to spiritually support defenders. Earlier, the relics were displayed at the Saurova Mohyla memorial in the Donetsk region. Metropolitan Vladimir of Donetsk and Mariupol and Metropolitan Kirill of Stavropol and Nevinnomyssk led prayers there. The Church states the move symbolizes divine assistance for the military and civilians in the Donbas region. St. Dmitry Donskoy was canonized in 1988.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
An exhibition commemorating the 340th anniversary of the annexation of the Kyiv Metropolitanate by the Russian Orthodox Church has opened in occupied Sevastopol, Ukraine. Organized with the blessing of Metropolitan Tikhon Shevkunov, the event displays historical documents related to Emelyan Ukraintsev. Officials from Sevastopol State University and local religious groups participated in the opening. The exhibition, which runs until December 4, promotes a narrative linking the transfer of ecclesiastical authority to Russian state interests. Russian Metropolitan Antoniy Sevryuk previously defended this historical interpretation, claiming it restores justice and unity, while alleging persecution of the Moscow Patriarchate church in Ukraine.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇮🇸 Iceland·
A new Ukrainian Greek Catholic church dedicated to the Holy Cross has been consecrated in Selfoss, Iceland. The ceremony was led by Bishop David Tenzer of Reykjavik, who emphasized that the building aims to foster a living community rather than serving as a museum. The event included local Catholics, Lutheran representatives, and pilgrims. Father Andriy Melnychuk and Father Mykhailo Ivanak represented the Ukrainian community. According to the Religious Information Service of Ukraine, services for Ukrainian faithful will soon begin in the new temple, addressing the needs of the local Ukrainian diaspora in the Selfoss area.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Religious scholar Oleksandr Brodetskyi stated in an interview with Esprreso that the Ukrainian state should restrict the public influence of Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) hierarchs who collaborated with Russian church structures after 2014. He argued that such individuals should not retain public authority due to their wartime cooperation with an aggressor state. Brodetskyi cited Metropolitan Ionafan and Bishop Luka as examples, noting that current measures are slow due to a lack of political will within the government. He warned that Western partners might criticize these actions as violations of religious freedom, despite the security context. (Source: RISU)
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
The Crimea SOS initiative reports that Russian occupation authorities have turned Islam into a tool for state control in Crimea. While over 30 mosques have been built, including the newly consecrated Cathedral Mosque in Simferopol, the group argues this facade hides systematic repression. In October 2024, a Russian court liquidated an independent Muslim community in Alushta. According to Crimea SOS, most political prisoners on the peninsula are Crimean Tatars. Data from the Crimean Tatar Resource Center indicates hundreds of illegal detentions and thousands of human rights violations since 2017, primarily targeting those deemed disloyal to the Kremlin.
Translated from Українська
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Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Hongbin on UnsplashPersecuted church
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
The Center for Countering Disinformation of Ukraine's National Security Council states that Patriarch Kirill's visit to an injured metropolitan sanctifies Russia's war against Ukraine. According to the outlet, Kirill claimed the bishop suffered for his correct position and blamed demons for threatening Holy Rus. The group argues this rhetoric integrates the Russian Orthodox Church into state propaganda, replacing calls for peace with justification for aggression. They assert the church now serves as an ideological unit of the regime, glorifying Putin and blessing killings of Ukrainians.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, met with energy expert Andriy Kobylev in Kyiv to discuss community energy resilience amid the war. The meeting included clergy members who highlighted the Church's educational efforts on energy efficiency. Participants addressed vulnerabilities in centralized utility systems caused by Russian attacks. They reviewed practical solutions like solar panels and autonomous water supplies, citing the Patriarchal Curia's successful upgrades. The Church aims to share this experience with parishes, seeking expert guidance and international partnerships to fund necessary equipment for continued social services during power outages.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Baptist pastor Oleksandr Oliiko died while defending Ukraine, according to the press service of the Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists (UECB). He was 50 years old and served as a pastor at the 'Svitlo Zhyttia' church in Vinnytsia. Since 2014, Oliiko supported the front through volunteer work. Following the full-scale invasion, he joined the military as a professional sniper in the 1st Assault Battalion of the 3rd Army Corps. The UCEB expressed condolences to his family, noting that his son and son-in-law are also currently serving in the defense of Ukraine.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
A sociological study conducted by Kateryna Nastashna and the Institute for National Resilience and Security reveals that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) is actively engaging Ukrainian refugees in five European countries. The research, based on interviews in France, Germany, Poland, Italy, and Belgium, indicates that the church uses mimicry to maintain influence. According to the outlet, the network collects personal data from parishioners, potentially for intelligence purposes. While some refugees recognize the Russian affiliation, others normalize their attendance due to emotional familiarity or lack of alternatives, despite awareness of the church's ties to Moscow.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
The Holy Protection parish in Zhukivka, Kyiv region, has voted to join the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, specifically the Pereyaslav-Vyshneva diocese. According to RISU, the decision was made by majority vote during a meeting attended by representatives of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, including the local dean and the current priest. However, the priest refused to transfer with the congregation and will remain in the Moscow Patriarchate. The historic church, built between 1901 and 1902, is a protected architectural monument in the village.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church blessed flags for units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine's Special Operations Forces. The ceremony included military chaplains and soldiers. The church leader stated the flags symbolize bravery and the sacrifice of those who died for the country. A representative of the Ukrainian Resistance Movement thanked the church for spiritual support. The flags bear the slogan 'From Resistance to Victory,' reflecting the ongoing struggle against Russian aggression. This event highlights the collaboration between religious institutions and military forces in defending Ukrainian sovereignty.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Religious scholar Oleksandr Brodetsky states that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate retains significant influence in Ukraine, particularly in the Bukovina region. Despite legal proceedings initiated by the state, transitions to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine have slowed. Brodetsky attributes this to the local leadership's refusal to sever ties with Russia and the manipulation of ethnic Romanian communities who prefer services in their native language. He notes that Metropolitan Onufriy remains popular among a dedicated minority, allowing the group to maintain control over key sites like the Cathedral in Chernivtsi. Legal resolutions are expected to take over a year.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
The Greek community in Lviv, Ukraine, celebrated the Panair festival in the Metropolitan Gardens of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. The event included a service led by Auxiliary Bishop Volodymyr Hrutsa. Yuriy Kholod, acting head of the Lviv Regional Council, noted that the tradition was relocated due to the Russian occupation of Crimea and the Donbas region but remains active. The festival featured cultural exhibitions, workshops, traditional wrestling, and food. Organizers also honored individuals for their contributions to preserving Greek culture in Ukraine and supporting charitable projects.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Religious studies scholar Oleksandr Brodetskiy told Esprreso that representatives of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) maintain communication with the Russian Orthodox Church through clergy in Moldova. He cited Metropolitan Vladimir (Kantaryan) of Moldova, who holds Russian citizenship and serves in Moscow, as a key link. Brodetskiy noted that Moldovan bishops visit Ukraine to exchange information, citing the case of Metropolitan Melety, who traveled to Moldova shortly after Security Service of Ukraine raids. The expert suggests these visits facilitate the transfer of sensitive data, describing the situation as collaboration.
Translated from Українська
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