Political expert: Chernivtsi example can become inspiring for other regions

Political analyst Kostiantyn Bondarenko. Photo: a screenshot from an interview with the UOJ

On June 19, 2025, political expert Kostiantyn Bondarenko commented in an interview with the UOJ on the attempted seizure of the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Chernivtsi by OCU supporters.

According to the expert, this incident reflects a general trend of pressure on the canonical Church in Ukraine and may become a turning point in public sentiment.

"We are experiencing neo-Bolshevism. The same persecution of the Church and the same renovationism. The Office of the President seeks to leave only one "pocket" church – the OCU. Today, in the church situation, the might-makes-right principle prevails," noted Bondarenko.

He stressed that such church seizures have become «the norm» since the times of Poroshenko, and the current government is only increasing the pressure. "Believers have self-organized not at the call of politicians, but at the call of their own hearts. They are being deprived of the last thing – the sanctuary, the church. This is what caused their reaction," said the political scientist.

He was particularly outraged by footage of Chernivtsi clerics beatings, where, according to him, "a real humiliation of a clergyman occurred".

In an interview with the channel Alexander Shelest, the expert noted the inadmissibility of rough treatment of the clergy: "This is something that cannot be allowed. Even if you believe that another person is wrong, you cannot treat them like a criminal in front of TV cameras. This is a disgrace. It destroys the Church from within. This is anti-Christianity," he stated.

"When I saw this, my heart sank. I felt that this is no longer a conflict between jurisdictions, it is a spiritual catastrophe. And if we remain silent, we are accomplices," added the expert.

According to Bondarenko, the example of Chernivtsi may inspire other regions. "For now, people are held back only by the war and the ban on rallies. But if there is a 'straw that breaks the camel's back', the situation may change radically," he said.

He also expressed concern about the authorities' actions, which, in his opinion, may lead to a restriction of religious diversity and infringement of believers' rights. Bondarenko believes that President Volodymyr Zelensky's policy in the church sphere is carried out with the active participation of external partners, including Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that UOC believers in Chernivtsi expelled raiders from the cathedral.

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