RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Sviatoslav Shevchuk, met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in the Vatican. Shevchuk congratulated the Patriarch on his 35th anniversary of service and his new honorary doctorate from the Angelicum University in Rome. The two leaders exchanged gifts and discussed the importance of ecumenical unity. Shevchuk thanked Bartholomew for supporting Ukraine and condemning the ideology of the Russian world. He also criticized distortions of Christian faith that hinder dialogue between churches. The Patriarch assured support for Ukraine's victory. The meeting highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen interchurch relations during the war.
Translated from УкраїнськаAlso reported by 1 other outlet
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Victor Signayevsky, son of a Ukrainian Orthodox Church priest from Volyn, died on January 27, 2026, during a Russian drone attack on a passenger train in the Kharkiv region. The 21-year-old had joined the military by contract in May 2025 and was returning from leave when the Shahed kamikaze drone struck. He had previously been listed as missing. The Volyn Eparchy confirmed his death and offered condolences to his father, Archpriest Feodor Signayevsky, and his family, honoring him as a hero who died defending Ukraine.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
A representative of Pope Leo XIV is traveling to Ukraine to deliver humanitarian aid and demonstrate the Pontiff's support for those suffering from the war. According to Vatican News, the envoy will visit Kyiv, Dnipro, Fastiv, and Zaporizhzhia. The mission aims to address the difficult humanitarian situation in occupied areas, such as Oleshky, where residents face hunger. The trip involves collaboration with both Greek Catholic and Latin Rite church structures. Additionally, the Vatican is collecting winter clothing and food supplies to assist the Ukrainian population.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Ukrainian religious leaders issued a statement condemning the escalation of Russian attacks and warning the world against appeasing the aggressor. The Interconfessional Council of Religious Organizations in Ukraine called for increased sanctions against Russian officials and clergy complicit in crimes. The declaration followed a massive missile and drone strike on Kyiv on October 22, 2026, which killed one person and injured at least 22 others. The group stated that releasing hostages does not justify labeling Vladimir Putin as a humanitarian. They urged democratic governments to maintain consistent support for Ukraine to stop the war and prevent further destruction across Europe.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church youth in Cologne, Germany, passed a symbolic peace fire to communities in Lviv and Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. According to the Church's information department, participants received three candles during a service. One remains in Cologne to support displaced Ukrainians, while the other two were sent to Lviv for internally displaced persons and to Zaporizhzhia to show solidarity with those near the front lines. The initiative, supported by Father Tobias Schwaderlap, aligns with the long-standing 'Light from Altenberg' tradition. Additionally, the group raised over 50,000 hryvnias for a charging station for youth ministry in the Donetsk exarchate. Ulyana Derkach helped transport the candles to Ukraine.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
The Knights of Columbus are holding a national pilgrimage in Staruna, Ukraine, today. According to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church's information department, participants will gather at the Blessed Symeon Lukach Center for prayer for the country and its defenders. The event includes a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy led by Archbishop Volodymyr Vitytskyi, veneration of relics, and a Way of the Cross. The Knights of Columbus is described as the world's largest male Catholic charitable organization, with about two million members globally. The schedule features registration, processions, a fraternal meal, and a final prayer for Ukraine.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
On October 20, 2026, Ukraine's Supreme Court upheld lower court decisions denying a resident of Vinnytsia the right to substitute military mobilization with alternative non-military service. The man, a member of a Baptist congregation, argued that his religious beliefs prohibited bearing arms. The court ruled that current legislation only allows such substitution for conscription, not for mobilization during martial law. The Supreme Court stated that protecting the state during armed aggression justifies limiting the right to refuse service based on conscience. The ruling confirms that religious convictions do not automatically exempt individuals from mobilization duties under existing laws.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Lenur Khalilov, head of the independent Crimean Tatar Muslim community in Alushta, is in critical condition while serving a sentence in a Russian colony. Refat Chubarov, chairman of the Crimean Tatar People's Mejlis, reported the deterioration of Khalilov's health, citing liver cancer and hepatitis C. A human rights activist noted he can barely move. Although previously released for health reasons, a Russian court reversed the decision, returning him to custody. His imprisonment is linked to Russian pressure on independent religious groups in occupied Crimea. The full report is available from RISU.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
The Russian Orthodox Church has prohibited its clergy from making public statements without official blessing. According to Radio Svoboda, citing the Holy Synod's Journal No. 82, a new oath clause forbids speeches that discredit the Church or distort its teachings. This restriction applies to media appearances and social media use. The move follows increased persecution of priests since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, many of whom faced backlash for preaching peace, refusing to pray for Russian military victory, or criticizing the war online.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Kyiv authorities have allocated 26.6 million hryvnias for emergency repairs to the Assumption Cathedral at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra in Ukraine. The National Sanctuary signed a contract with Metal Roof Group on September 29, 2026, to remove damaged roofing and reinforce the structure by December 25, 2026. This work follows a Russian drone strike on June 15, 2026, which severely damaged the historic site. Sanctuary director Maksym Ostapenko stated that restoration could take two years. The contractor previously worked on other Ukrainian heritage sites, including Saint Sophia's Cathedral.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Ukraine's Ministry of Justice is considering establishing paid chaplains in prisons to aid rehabilitation. Deputy Minister Yevhen Pikalov emphasized the need for effective re-socialization tools, including correctional programs for minors and veterans. Father Oleg Nestor of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church stated that spiritual support is crucial for inmates' reintegration. Both sides agreed to form a working group to identify pilot institutions and officially appoint penitentiary chaplains. This initiative aims to provide psychological and spiritual restoration within correctional facilities.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
On October 21, the Sixth Appellate Administrative Court in Ukraine ordered the liquidation of the Rovensk Diocese Administration of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. The State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience filed the lawsuit in August 2026, citing criminal convictions of the organization's authorized representative for aiding the aggressor state under Article 111-2 of the Criminal Code. While the court approved the dissolution, it denied the request to transfer non-worship assets to state ownership. The decision can be appealed within twenty days to the Cassation Administrative Court of the Supreme Court. This action aims to protect Ukraine's national security and sovereignty.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Authorities in Ukraine arrested an archimandrite of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine on October 23 for attempting to smuggle a draft dodger across the border into Slovakia. The cleric met the man in Kyiv and drove him toward the border near Velky Berezhny. After a failed first attempt, the priest offered to help again for a reduced fee of 1,100 dollars. Police intercepted the pair, seizing cash and cannabis from the cleric. The suspect, identified by ZAXID.NET as Antoniy Khvitsa, was taken into custody. He faces up to nine years in prison for organizing illegal border crossings for profit.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Sviatoslav, has again transmitted lists of Ukrainian prisoners of war to Pope Leo XIV. According to the Synod of Bishops, the names are provided directly by families during meetings across Ukraine. Sviatoslav thanked the Pope for supporting Ukraine and calling for an end to the war and attacks on civilians. He highlighted the Holy See's humanitarian diplomacy, including Cardinal Zuppi's visit to Russian prisons. The leader also discussed preparations for winter and asked for continued international Catholic solidarity amid the ongoing conflict.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine announced charges against a representative of the Melitopol occupation administration for forcibly displacing Ukrainian Greek Catholic priests. According to the outlet, the suspect collaborated with Russian military and FSB officials to persecute clergy who maintained a pro-Ukrainian stance. He demanded they stop services in Ukrainian, cease mentioning Ukrainian soldiers in prayers, and re-register under Russian law. The suspect also gathered intelligence on these priests for further repression. This action violates laws of war. The article also notes that Artem Sharlay, another occupation official, faces similar charges for targeting religious communities in the Zaporizhzhia region.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
A court in Ukraine sentenced Vasyl Tulyulyuk, a community leader of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, to two years of probation for organizing the illegal crossing of two military-age men into Romania. According to RISU, the scheme was uncovered by law enforcement in October 2025. Tulyulyuk and accomplice Ihor Fominov agreed to transport the men for 26,000 euros. The transaction involved fake and real currency provided by the Security Service of Ukraine. The defendants pleaded guilty and donated millions of hryvnias to the Armed Forces, which the court considered during sentencing. The incident occurred in the Chernivtsi region.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has exposed a woman, the wife of a Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) priest, and a Russian citizen in the Cherkasy region for spreading pro-Kremlin propaganda. According to the SBU, the woman distributed hostile content among acquaintances and parishioners. The Russian national, who holds permanent residency in Ukraine, minimized the war as an internal conflict and supported territorial annexations. Experts confirmed their subversive activities benefiting the aggressor state. Both individuals have been formally charged under Article 436-2 of Ukraine's Criminal Code. They face up to eight years in prison and confiscation of property.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
A Russian missile strike hit the Pechersk district of Kyiv, Ukraine, damaging the Holy Nativity Monastery of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Regional head Nataliya Kondrashova reported that 18 residential buildings, a medical station, and several ambulances were affected. A fragment struck an icon near the monastery entrance. Two people were injured. The monastery has faced scrutiny for pro-Russian activities, including recent Security Service of Ukraine searches. The Kyiv Pechersk Lavra is located nearby. Authorities are currently assessing the damage and coordinating restoration efforts.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
A resident of the Rivne region in Ukraine was sentenced for making insulting comments about parishioners of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. According to RISU, the court ruling dated October 20 states that in February, Oleksandr Mosiychuk described believers switching from the Moscow Patriarchate as Judas figures who crucify Christ. He also shared a video on Facebook in March that insulted those supporting the transition. Experts concluded his actions aimed to incite religious hatred. The defendant admitted guilt and reached an agreement with prosecutors. His mobile phone will be confiscated as part of the penalty.
Translated from Українська
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