Kyiv District head: Orthodoxy hinders the country's development

Maksym Bakhmatov. Photo: YouTube channel "Kyrylenko"

The head of the Desnianskyi District Administration of Kyiv, Maksym Bakhmatov, in an interview with journalist Anastasia Kyrylenko, stated that Orthodoxy negatively affects the successful development of the country.

"We see that faith has a significant impact. Do you want me to tell you something that will blow your mind right now? Do you want it? You cannot name a single successful Orthodox country. You know successful Protestant countries – Britain, the USA, Canada. You know successful Catholic countries – conditionally France, Italy. But you cannot name a single successful Orthodox country. You know successful Muslim countries. You know successful countries – conditionally China, Japan, they have a separate branch, but none are Orthodox," emphasized Bakhmatov.

According to him, the reason for the lack of success in Orthodox countries is that people "in our faith are told from childhood" something that hinders development.

"I know the answer, it is very simple. Our faith loves everyone: the poor, the rich, the miserable, and so on. But in the Protestant church, if a child comes and does not want to study, does not want to earn and pay taxes, the pastor will say: 'Oh, you scoundrel! This is bad. This is bad for the community'," said the official.

He believes that in all countries, except Orthodox ones, clergy orient parishioners towards success and wealth. Therefore, these countries develop.

“But this idea of ‘all-encompassing love’ is rather questionable,” Bakhmatov concluded.

Maksym Bakhmatov is a showman, producer, and businessman. One of the founders of Comedy Club. On May 26, 2025, by order of Zelensky, he was appointed the head of the Desnianskyi District State Administration of Kyiv.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Kyiv City Council is considering a project to demolish 74 UOC churches.

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