What is the Ukrainian Orthodox Church?

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church is one of the three major Orthodox Churches in Ukraine, alongside the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyivan Patriarchate and the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. It traces its origins to the 10th century Christianization of Kievan Rus’. After centuries under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, in 1686 the Metropolis of Kiev came under the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate. This situation continued until Ukraine’s declaration of independence in 1991. Since then, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has functioned as an autonomous church under the Moscow Patriarchate.

The Bible does not directly discuss the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, as it developed many centuries after the biblical period. However, the Bible does lay down principles of church governance, unity, and mission that inform Orthodox ecclesiology in Ukraine and worldwide. Key biblical themes related to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church include:

Church unity

Jesus prayed for his disciples “that they may all be one” (John 17:21). Unity among believers is seen as essential, even as disagreements may arise. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church values its unity with other Orthodox churches through communion with the Ecumenical Patriarchate. However, tensions aroundautocephaly have strained this unity.

Apostolic succession

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church, like other Eastern Orthodox churches, emphasizes an unbroken chain of apostolic succession going back to Christ’s apostles (see 1 Timothy 1:3, 2 Timothy 2:2). Leaders are appointed and given authority through the laying on of hands by bishops, who themselves were ordained by past bishops going back in an unbroken line to the original disciples.

Holy Tradition

In addition to Scripture, the Orthodox churches give authority to Holy Tradition – the accumulation of practices, writings, and beliefs handed down through generations dating back to the early church (2 Thessalonians 2:15). The Ukrainian Orthodox Church sees itself as part of a 2,000-year Tradition guided by the Holy Spirit.

Conciliarity

Eastern Orthodox churches emphasize making decisions through the consensus of bishops meeting in councils or synods, based on examples like the Council of Jerusalem recorded in Acts 15. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church values this conciliar or synodal approach to church governance.

Territorial ecclesiology

The Orthodox model gives ecclesiastical authority over a defined geographic region to the bishops and archbishops of that region. Thus the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has traditionally been overseen by the Metropolitan of Kiev under the Moscow Patriarchate. The push for an autocephalous Ukrainian Orthodox Church is driven by a desire for full territorial ecclesial authority.

Missiology

The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 calls believers to make disciples of all nations. The conversion of Rus’ to Orthodox Christianity in the 10th century is seen by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church as part of this ongoing mission. Yet tensions around proselytism complicate modern missiology for the church.

While the Bible does not directly address the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, it provides foundational principles that guide Eastern Orthodox ecclesiology. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church draws on these biblical themes of unity, apostolic succession, tradition, conciliarity, territorial authority, and mission as it discerns its structure and calling within Ukraine and global Orthodoxy.

History of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church has a long and complex history intertwined with the development of Orthodox Christianity in Ukraine:

• 988 – Conversion of Kievan Rus’ to Orthodox Christianity, establishing the Metropolis of Kiev under the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.
• 13th-14th centuries – Parts of western Ukraine shift allegiance to Rome, forming Eastern Catholic churches still present today.
• 1448 – Moscow gains autocephaly from Constantinople, the first step to an independent Russian church.
• 1686 – The Metropolis of Kiev comes under the jurisdiction of the Patriarch of Moscow, though still with autonomy.
• 1921 – The short-lived Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church is formed amidst Ukraine’s independence struggle but is suppressed by Soviet authorities.
• 1990 – The Ukrainian Orthodox Church is reconstituted, renewing its request for full autocephaly.
• 2018 – The Ecumenical Patriarchate grants autocephaly to the newly-formed Orthodox Church of Ukraine, causing a major split with the Russian church.
• 2019 – Ukrainian Orthodox Church formally cuts ties with the Moscow Patriarchate and unites with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, though some parishes remain separate.

This complex history reveals an ongoing tension between Ukrainian self-determination and unity with the broader Orthodox world, now embodied in the formation of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine as a national church separate from Moscow.

Organization and leadership of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church maintains a hierarchical organization stemming from ancient church tradition:

• Patriarchate – The Ukrainian Orthodox Church was previously under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Moscow. It is now part of the autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
• Holy Synod – The church’s central governing body, made up of its bishops and led by the Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine.
• Eparchies – The church is divided into around 55 eparchies (dioceses), each overseen by a bishop.
• Parishes – Local church communities number over 12,000 served by parish priests, deacons, and volunteers.
• Monasteries and Seminaries – There are 105 monasteries and several seminaries that train priests and church workers.

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church thus has an episcopal polity structure, with authority flowing down from bishops and synods. This reflects Orthodox conciliarity and apostolic succession.

Worship and sacraments in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Worship in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church centers around the Divine Liturgy, a eucharistic service reflecting key aspects of Eastern Orthodox spirituality:

• Veneration of icons, seen as windows into the divine.
• Chanting and choral singing without instrumental accompaniment.
• Use of ancient liturgical languages like Old Church Slavonic.
• A dense liturgy rich in symbolism and ritual that engages all the senses.

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church recognizes 7 sacraments or mysteries, which are means of grace instituted by Christ:

1. Baptism – Initiates people into the church through water and the Spirit.
2. Chrismation – Seals the baptized with oil, bestowing the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
3. Eucharist – The center of Orthodox worship, with bread and wine becoming Christ’s body and blood.
4. Repentance – The mystery of confessing sins and receiving forgiveness through Christ’s mercy.
5. Anointing of the sick – Prayers and anointing for healing and strength when ill or near death.
6. Marriage – Union between a man and woman blessed by God and the church.
7. Holy orders – Setting some baptized members apart as bishops, priests, and deacons.

These sacraments date back to the early church and represent God’s ongoing work through tangible means.

Monasticism in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Monasticism has played a major role in Eastern Orthodoxy since early centuries, and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church continues this tradition with around 105 monasteries:

• Men and women pursue ascetic discipline and prayer in community according to particular monastic rules.
• Major historic monasteries like the Kiev Monastery of the Caves are places of pilgrimage and national pride.
• Monks and nuns engage in liturgical prayer, theological education, charity, and missions work.
• Elders known as starsty provide spiritual direction drawing on Orthodox traditions.

While monasticism nearly disappeared under Soviet persecution, it has revived significantly in recent decades. However, economic hardship has forced some monasteries to diversify into farming, manufacturing, and other enterprises to support themselves.

Relationship to society and culture

As the largest Orthodox jurisdiction, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has played an integral role in Ukraine’s history and culture:

• With roots dating back to 988 AD, the church is intertwined with Ukrainian national identity.
• Orthodox icons, church architecture, singing, and other traditions shape Ukrainian culture.
• Many church holidays like Easter and Christmas are celebrated as national holidays.
• Historic monasteries and churches are prized as architectural monuments.
• Issues like Soviet persecution and autocephaly connect to national independence struggles.

However, Orthodox adherence is declining amid growing secularism, with tensions around church ties to Ukraine or Russia contributing to this trend. The church faces challenges in engaging contemporary society while maintaining tradition.

Relationship with global Orthodoxy

As part of the Eastern Orthodox communion, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church maintains certain key relationships:

• It is now part of the autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine independent from Moscow.
• It remains in communion with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, though disagreements have emerged.
• It cooperates with other Orthodox churches through the Standing Conference of Orthodox Bishops and the World Council of Churches.
• It relates to the Eastern Catholic churches, which have parallels in Ukrainian religious history.
• It faces tensions over ecclesial jurisdiction and missionary activity with the Russian Orthodox Church.

Globally, the Orthodox Church has over 200 million members. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church represents a significant part of this communion as it discerns its place between conciliarity and national interests.

Controversies and challenges

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church faces controversies and challenges on multiple fronts:

• The push for autocephaly has led to tensions with the Russian Orthodox Church and conflicted views within Ukrainian Orthodoxy itself.
• Some critics allege the church cooperated too closely with corrupt political leaders in the past.
• There are concerns about modernism and secularism eroding Orthodox commitment and practice.
• Inter-Orthodox relations are strained over issues of proselytism and ecclesial authority.
• The annexation of Crimea and war in Donbas have displaced clergy and divided parishes.
• Some parishes have switched to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine while others remain aligned with Moscow.

These controversies reflect broader debates about the relationship between church, state, society, and national identity in Ukraine. The church must continue discerning how to live out its calling amidst a changing world.

The future of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

The autocephaly controversy raises many questions about the future trajectory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church:

• Will achieving autocephaly strengthen the church’s mission and influence in Ukrainian society?
• How will inter-Orthodox relationships rebuild after the breach with Moscow?
• Can unity be found between the diverse Orthodox jurisdictions within Ukraine?
• Will the church update pastoral approaches to engage with a secular, postmodern culture?
• What role will the church play in society given Ukraine’s post-Soviet identity struggles?

The complex dynamics of nationalism, globalization, secularism, and tradition ensure that the church will continue facing major transitions. By drawing on spiritual resources like Scripture, monasticism, and conciliarity, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church hopes to faithfully carry its mission forward in coming generations.