If UOC is banned, we will become Carpatho-Russian Church, Uzhhorod priest

Archpriest Dimitry Sydor. Photo: a video screenshot from the YouTube channel of the Uzhgorod Cathedral of the UOC

The rector of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Cathedral of the UOC in Uzhgorod, Archpriest Dimitry Sydor, stated that if the law banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is passed, its communities will restore legal registration as the Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church. He said this during a sermon on August 19, 2025.

"Just like the people of Uzhhorod did 104 years ago when they gathered and declared: ‘We are not Czech, not Serbian, not Constantinopolitan, but the Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church." That's it. This was officially recorded by the legislation of Czechoslovakia. Now, if the Kyiv Metropolis is deregistered and the UOC is banned, we warn everyone: our registration as the Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church will automatically be reinstated,” said Father Dimitry in his address.

According to him, formally, the changes will only affect the name in the statutes: instead of the word "Ukrainian", "Carpatho-Russian" will be inserted.

"You don't need Russian, you don't need Ukrainian – we are returning to our own," the priest emphasized.

Father Dimitry also noted that the special services have already threatened him via the Internet, stating that they will not grant new registration to the community. However, according to him, the law explicitly requires the authorities to register religious organizations within 10 days. Even if the state evades fulfilling this norm, the community will still operate legally: "We’re not even asking you. There’s a law on nationalities and religious organizations. If you don’t want to register us, there won’t be a seal, but the community will live on. And you can think whatever you want."

The priest emphasized that the clergy and believers of the UOC know their rights under Ukrainian law, and in case of attempts to restrict them, they will rely on international legal norms that Ukraine has committed to uphold: "If there is no good law in Ukraine, international legislation comes into force."

As reported by the UOJ, Archpriest Dimitry Sydor is being persecuted. He is accused under Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of citizens' equality based on race, nationality, or religion) for sermons in which he allegedly made discriminatory statements against Catholics of Hungarian nationality in Transcarpathia. During a court hearing on May 21, the defense of Archpriest Dimitry presented documents to the court that indicate serious violations during the investigation and fabrication of key evidence.

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