DESS updates the list of clergy exemptions for religious organizations
State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS). Illustration: DESS / dess.gov.ua
On October 8, 2025, the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) published an updated list of religious organizations recognized as critical for the functioning of the economy and ensuring the life of the population during a special period.
The list includes 9,216 legal entities – religious organizations that passed the verification process in accordance with the criteria approved by DESS Order No. N-21/11 of February 5, 2025, and registered by the Ministry of Justice. The list features structures of various confessions, including the OCU, as well as Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern religious associations.
Observers note that, once again, the updated list omits organizations belonging to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which traditionally unites a significant portion of the country’s Orthodox faithful. Representatives of the UOC have repeatedly stated that such exclusions reflect a discriminatory approach in the formation of these lists.
Earlier, the UOJ reported Metropolitan Anthony’s statement that the mobilization of UOC clergy constitutes a deliberate desecration of the priesthood.
Read also
Georgian Church Synod to present three candidates for Patriarchal throne
Georgian hierarchs will select candidates for the Patriarchal throne, after which the Extended Council will make the final decision.
Metropolitan Tychikos' lawyers respond to media accusations
The hierarch's lawyers called the television stories targeted harassment.
EU Court: Hungary's law protecting children from LGBT violates legislation
The European Court ruled that Hungary's ban on promoting LGBT ideology among minors contradicts "EU values".
Facts of persecution against UOC included in world's human rights report
The Amnesty International report points to pressure on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and criticism from UN experts.
Pasika activist urges believers to join Uniates if they don't want to go to OCU
Choknadiy called on UOC believers to join the Greek Catholic Church, since they refuse to join the OCU.
OCU “priest” urges SBU to punish local community head for backing UOC faithful
Volodymyr Pedko was outraged that a fallen serviceman was buried by a cleric of the canonical Church and promised to “sort things out” with the local authorities after the holidays.