By Matt Underwood Ukraine just stripped the leader of Putin’s favorite church – his 8,000 parishes are next. This is a major development, and it’s hard not to see it as a significant blow to Russia’s influence in Ukraine. Stripping someone of their citizenship is a serious move, and in this case, it targets the head of the Moscow-aligned Ukrainian Orthodox Church. It’s a clear message: Ukraine will not tolerate those seen as agents of Russia within its borders.
The implications are massive, especially when you consider the scope of the church. We’re talking about a network of roughly 8,000 parishes. That’s a vast infrastructure of influence, a pipeline for ideas and values, all of which could potentially align with Putin’s agenda. The question now is: what happens to these parishes? Will they face similar scrutiny? Will there be a movement to shift allegiance away from Moscow? Or will the Russian government find a way to maintain control despite this setback?
It’s also worth noting that this decision didn’t happen overnight. It’s likely the culmination of years of investigations and concerns about the church’s alignment with the Kremlin. These are difficult questions and, most of the time, it is not that easy to find straightforward answers. It reflects a broader effort to dismantle any remaining ties to Russia and to safeguard Ukraine’s sovereignty. The context here is vital: Ukraine is fighting a war against Russia, and it makes perfect sense to take measures against any entity perceived as undermining its national security.
Furthermore, this act should be seen as a direct challenge to the Russian Orthodox Church, which is headed by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow. He has close ties to Putin and has been a vocal supporter of the war in Ukraine. It is well understood that Kirill is basically Putin’s puppet, and so the stripping of citizenship to the church leader really is a shot across the bow towards Kirill and the Moscow-based church itself. This is a calculated move, designed to weaken Moscow’s grip on Ukrainian religious life.
It is not surprising that some people might feel strongly about this, and the topic has the potential to generate a lot of reactions. On the one hand, some individuals in the West may find themselves a little off-kilter by the news, considering how much the Orthodox church is a major part of faith for many individuals. However, on the other hand, a good portion of the rest of the world has the opinion that the church is simply a means for the Kremlin to control and influence the population, and that the leader of the church is just a tool of Putin. It also could be seen as a necessary step to counter Russian influence and protect the country’s interests during the ongoing war.
The history of churches and states should also be noted here. Throughout history, churches have sometimes been entangled with state power. In the USSR, the church was deeply intertwined with the KGB, and used as a tool of the state. This is something that is not forgotten. Many of these old tricks are now being used by Putin as well. This historical background is very important and is a major part of why the Ukrainian government is cracking down on the Moscow-aligned church.
Of course, some might argue that this is an overreach, or that it infringes on religious freedom. But Ukraine’s decision to strip the leader of citizenship and is also influenced by national security concerns. It’s a reminder that in times of war, difficult choices must be made, and sometimes those choices involve balancing competing values. There are those who are extremely skeptical of organized religion, seeing it as a tool for propaganda and manipulation, particularly the way it has been used by Russia in the context of the war.
And in relation to the Russian Orthodox Church specifically, it is no secret that it has been used by Putin to further his own political goals. It has been used to justify the war, and to spread propaganda. This has led to the situation we see today. There is a perception that the church is more than just a religious institution; it’s a GRU (Russian military intelligence) front. So, the actions are taken in this particular instance are more about the protection of Ukraine’s future.
Finally, this is a reminder that Ukraine is fighting not only a physical war but also a war of ideas. The battle for hearts and minds is being waged on many fronts, including the religious sphere. This decision is a clear indication that Ukraine is determined to win both battles, and that it is willing to take decisive action to defend its sovereignty and its values. The coming weeks and months will be very important to watch.