Does the practice of lying to the West about UOC continue?
Forum of religious leaders and authorities with Pastor Burns. Photo: Burns’ Facebook
Over the years of war, we’ve grown used to Ukrainian authorities – along with members of the AUCCRO – shamelessly feeding the West falsehoods about the real state of religious freedom in Ukraine. Their favorite narrative? That violations of religious rights only happen in the Russian-occupied territories, while in “free Ukraine” everyone enjoys peace and liberty. And any testimony about persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church? Labeled as “Kremlin propaganda.”
Under President Biden, this narrative was swallowed whole. But with Trump back on the scene, many expected a change in tone. And yet, here we are – watching the exact same charade play out.
At the invitation of Chief Rabbi Moshe Azman, evangelical pastor Mark Burns – often referred to as Trump’s “spiritual advisor” – arrived in Ukraine. And who does Rabbi Azman arrange for him to meet? The very same “religious figures” that the Ukrainian government sent to the U.S. in 2024 to peddle tales of unparalleled religious freedom and justify the banning of the UOC.
From the looks of it, Burns was served the same scripted fairy tales in Kyiv, as he triumphantly declared Ukraine a “beacon of religious freedom” after the meeting. This, while the government and the OCU continue their campaign of pressure and seizure against UOC believers – while the Lavra remains blocked off, thousands of churches have been taken over, and bishops, journalists, and parishioners face criminal prosecution.
When asked in the comments on his Facebook page whether he had met with representatives of the UOC, Burns responded by quoting a certain “Bishop Andriy,” who allegedly said that “it’s the ROC and Russians in the occupied territories” committing these crimes.
This is a clear piece of the false propaganda narrative pushed by the authorities and the AUCCRO: that the UOC supposedly shares the Kremlin’s views and therefore must be eliminated.
Notably, the meeting was coordinated not only by Rabbi Azman, but also by Oleg Havrysh – the chief adviser to the Head of the President’s Office.
Presidents in Washington may change. But the anti-UOC propaganda machine marches on.
Read also
Holy Rus' is becoming Muslim?
Hundreds of thousands of Muslims flooded the streets of Russia to celebrate Eid al-Adha. And what about Ukraine?
A voice from the grave
A hierarch who calls himself the “head of Orthodoxy” was secretly speaking with a man whom he himself had recognized as anathematized – and was negotiating with him about joining his own Church of Constantinople.
Lavra as a backdrop for a name-day celebration
Any service held by Epifaniy in the Lavra is simply an off-site event organized on the principle of “everything I need, I bring with me,” where the Lavra itself is used as a backdrop, a rented venue.
What is the difference between Dumenko and "Patriarch" Nikodym?
The difference between Dumenko and Kobzar is not in having or not having apostolic succession or spiritual gifts, nor in the depth of their theological knowledge.
Admit you're a Moscow priest – get a deferment
If you declare yourself a "Moscow priest," you are (according to the authorities' assurances) classified as "critically important infrastructure" and given a deferment. If you don't admit it, they force you to renounce your priesthood and go to war.
Why, by inciting hatred against UOC, you are inciting it against Christianity
UOC representatives have long warned the “patriotic confessions” that stirring up hatred toward the Church’s faithful would, in the end, turn against those who lit the fire.