Viktor Yelensky: a path from an atheist to the President’s spiritual mentor
The head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics was one of those who actively promoted Law No 8371. What role does Yelensky play in modern Ukraine?
The international response to Law No 8371, adopted by the Verkhovna Rada on 22 August 2024, was quick, as expected. Several statements have already been made by Local Orthodox Churches, as well as individual Western politicians, and this number will undoubtedly continue to grow. It is clear that if the authorities do not take action now, Ukraine's reputation as a country fighting for freedom will be destroyed.
This is precisely why the head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience, Viktor Yelensky, and the Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Olena Kovalska, went to the United States to discuss “legislative initiatives to protect the constitutional order in the sphere of religious organizations”, clearly referring to the recent controversial 'law on the UOC ban'.
We remember that representatives of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO), as well as Ukrainian politicians, previously travelled to the United States. Therefore, the question arises: why was there a need for Yelensky and Kovalska's trip as well? Could it be that the representatives of Ukraine's religious organisations failed to convince the Americans that Law No 8371 is not discriminatory?
Judging by the recent statements of American politicians, we can assume that they did not succeed. And it is unlikely that Yelensky will be able to do so. So why was he sent to the United States?
We have every reason to believe that this was done for one purpose: to give the old communist one last chance to prove his professional competence and rehabilitate himself for all the recent harm he has caused to Ukraine in general and to Zelensky personally. To avoid being unfounded, let's turn to specific facts.
The old communist at the service of Ukraine?
Viktor Yelensky has become a key but highly toxic figure in shaping President Volodymyr Zelensky's approach to religious issues in Ukraine. Yelensky’s influence, marked by his atheist views and close ties with the leaders of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), has significantly impacted the President’s evolving position regarding the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). Moreover, Yelensky’s views have already led to decisions that could cause substantial harm to Ukraine.
This is not surprising, as Yelensky was actively involved in atheist propaganda during the Soviet era, aimed at suppressing religious practices, particularly Christianity and Judaism.
Yelensky is a faithful Leninist and communist who wrote in his book "Jewish Clericalism and Zionism": “One cannot help but be struck by the scale and depth of Lenin’s thoughts, his genius in foreseeing the monstrous calamities that the descending phase of capitalism’s development could bring to the world.”
In this same book, he harshly criticized Jewish Zionism, the goal of which is the unification and revival of the Jewish people in their historical homeland, Israel, and... the United States, where he is currently visiting. Let’s read: “One of the most reactionary and militant varieties of bourgeois nationalism is Zionism. Currently, it represents the ideology, political practice, and psychology of the reactionary part of the Jewish bourgeoisie, which has merged with the monopolistic bourgeoisie of the West, primarily the United States, as well as a sprawling system of organizations expressing its interests.”
Beyond atheism, Yelensky can also be considered an outspoken anti-Semite. Here are his words about Jews: “Attempts to justify the existence of a 'world Jewish nation,' to prove that Jews living in various countries around the world, speaking different languages, etc., constitute a single, extraterritorial nation are futile. ... They (the Jews – Ed.) do not represent an ethnic community but rather break down into several ethnic groups.”
You must agree, if he had said such words in modern Ukraine rather than in the USSR in 1988, he would not have gotten away with it.
In any case, we can fully assert that Yelensky’s atheism, communism, and anti-Semitism are not merely personal beliefs but guiding principles that influence his professional behaviour. This viewpoint is significant considering his current role as the head of DESS – an agency responsible for ensuring religious freedom and fostering interfaith dialogue, something Yelensky has no desire to promote whatsoever.
How did Yelensky come to power?
Let’s recall that at the very beginning of the war, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, representatives of the President’s Office and Ukrainian politicians unanimously stated that Ukraine should not be divided on religious grounds.
However, in the autumn of 2022, Zelensky’s speeches began to include hints that the previous policy of neutrality toward the Church was undergoing significant changes. The person who influenced the Ukrainian President on this issue was none other than Viktor Yelensky, as Volodymyr Oleksandrovych himself revealed.
On 6 November 2022, during a national telethon, the President mentioned that the institution dealing with religious issues needed to be strengthened and made more independent. Zelensky said that he wanted to better understand religious matters and shared that he had spoken with religious scholar Viktor Yelensky. “I really liked this person, and as far as I can judge, he understands these issues.”
At the same time, the head of State noted that he was not fully familiar with church matters but wanted to help “to understand and be fair.”
Who authorized Yelensky to speak on behalf of the State?
Just a month after this, on 19 December 2022, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved Viktor Yelensky as the head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience.
Interestingly, only four days after taking office, Yelensky allowed himself to state that the President of Ukraine is “very well informed about the church situation”. How one could go from being someone who “is not fully familiar with church matters” to someone who is “very well informed” within a month, Yelensky did not explain. But with this statement, he made it clear that this happened not without his assistance.
On the other hand, with these words, the old communist shifted all responsibility for future actions onto the head of State: as if to say, since Zelensky understands, he is accountable for his actions.
Shortly after, the head of DESS allowed himself a bit more.
In particular, he started speaking on behalf of the current government and personally on behalf of Volodymyr Zelensky. For example, on 16 February 2023 (two months after his appointment), Yelensky said that “the country's leadership is very interested in the unification of the OCU and UOC”. Yelensky did not clarify who authorized him to speak on behalf of the country's leadership.
Yelensky – Zelensky's "spiritual mentor"?
However, Yelensky has consistently tried (and keeps trying) to create the impression that Volodymyr Zelensky shares his innermost thoughts regarding the religious situation in Ukraine. He needs this to demonstrate his influence and importance within the Ukrainian political elite, as well as to exert a certain influence on it.
At the same time, he speaks about Zelensky with a fair amount of sarcasm. To quote: “The President, although he is not an emperor, can invite the heads of the Churches and ask them to fulfill their Christian duty.”
It turns out that the President has not spoken to anyone else on this topic (at least we haven't heard any similar statements from him), only with Yelensky. On the other hand, the phrase “although he is not an emperor” is a clear mockery, indicating how the head of DESS views the head of State. Because one doesn't need to be an emperor to invite the leaders of the Churches for a conversation.
Who came up with "spiritual independence"?
Before Viktor Yelensky became the head of DESS, the President was very cautious in matters of Church- state relations, and his policy was extremely tolerant and equidistant from all denominations. In essence, it is Yelensky who can be considered the creator of the idea of "spiritual independence" and, judging by his statements, also the one who literally put the words about "using religion for subversive purposes" into Zelensky's mouth.
Moreover, Yelensky was and remains the most ardent supporter of banning the UOC at the legislative level. For example, in 2022, just four days after taking office as head of DESS, Viktor Yelensky declared the need to ban the UOC. What kind of dialogue can be expected if Yelensky is convinced that “today there is no demand for unification, there is a demand for banning the UOC”?
Furthermore, Yelensky is known for his connections with Dumenko and Zoria and his sympathy for the OCU. That is why, according to him, there should be only one Orthodox Church left in Ukraine.
Naturally, all these facts tell us that Yelensky's activities are unequivocally destructive. He is destroying Ukraine, undermining its unity, and essentially setting up Zelensky. The policy of the DESS head deepens division and increases tension between various religious communities rather than promoting dialogue and understanding. However, what else can be expected from the Soviet atheist who is closely allied with representatives of Petro Poroshenko's party?
We will learn more about this in the next article.
