Zaporizhzhia Diocese Received a Demand from the SESS to Sever Ties with the Kyiv Metropolitanate of the UOC

SESS Chairman Viktor Yelensky. Photo: znaj.ua

The Administration of the Zaporizhzhia Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has received a directive from the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience demanding withdrawal from the structure of the Kyiv Metropolitanate of the UOC. This was reported by the diocese's press service on its Telegram channel.

According to the text of the directive, the highest governing body of the diocese — the Diocesan Assembly — is required to provide a decision on the withdrawal of the diocese's administration from the structure of the Kyiv Metropolitanate of the UOC, as well as to submit the corresponding confirmation of the decision taken. In addition, the head of the religious organization is directed to declare, either orally or in writing, his disagreement with the appointment to the statutory governing bodies of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and to prepare a statement on the termination of powers and the severance of ties, providing confirmation of the decision taken.

According to the published document, from August 12 to 21, 2026, the SESS conducted a study of signs of affiliation of the Administration of the Zaporizhzhia Diocese of the UOC (USREOU 20512570) with a foreign religious organization whose activities are prohibited in Ukraine. The diocese was given 30 days from the date of receipt of the directive to remedy all listed violations, and the administration will be required to report to the SESS on compliance with the requirements, providing supporting evidence signed by an authorized person.

The document was signed by SESS Chairman Viktor Yelensky, and the results of the study itself have been published on the official website of the service.

As the UOJ reported, the SESS had previously announced the detection of signs of affiliation of the Zaporizhzhia Diocese with the ROC. The inspection of the diocese's administration began on August 12, 2026, and became part of a series of similar "studies" conducted by the SESS regarding UOC structures, including the Kyiv Metropolitanate, the Pochaiv Lavra, and the Boryspil Diocese.

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