Religion plays a significant role in the war between Ukraine and Russia. For many Ukrainians, their Orthodox faith is a vital part of their identity. Unfortunately, the Russian Orthodox Church has strongly supported the Russian government and its actions in Ukraine. This has led to tensions between the two groups, with some Ukrainians feeling that the Russian government is threatening their religious beliefs.
Since the early 1990s, Ukraine has experienced a religious revival. This is evidenced by the rise in religious organizations and the number of people who identify as religious. However, Ukraine’s overall religious landscape is still in flux, with different groups competing for influence.
The Orthodox Church is the largest religious group in Ukraine, accounting for about two-thirds of the population. The Orthodox Church is divided into three main branches: the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP), the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyiv Patriarchate (UOC-KP), and the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC).
The UOC-MP is the largest and most influential Orthodox Church in Ukraine due mainly to its close ties with the Russian Orthodox Church. The UOC-KP is the second-largest Orthodox Church in Ukraine and is seen as more nationalistic and independent from Moscow. The UAOC is the smallest of the three Orthodox Churches in Ukraine and the most critical of the Russian Orthodox Church.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) is the largest Orthodox Church in Ukraine, accounting for about two-thirds of the Orthodox population. The UOC-MP is closely aligned with the Russian Orthodox Church and is seen as the successor to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyiv Patriarchate (UOC-KP), which the Soviet government banned in the early 1920s. The UOC-MP is the only Orthodox Church in Ukraine that the Moscow Patriarchate recognizes.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyiv Patriarchate (UOC-KP) is the second-largest Orthodox Church in Ukraine, accounting for about one-third of the Orthodox population. The UOC-KP was founded in the early 1990s after the collapse of the Soviet Union and is seen as more nationalistic and independent from Moscow.
The Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC) is the smallest of the three Orthodox Churches in Ukraine, accounting for less than 1% of the Orthodox population. The UAOC was founded in the early 1990s after the collapse of the Soviet Union and is the most critical of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Moscow Patriarchate does not recognize the UAOC.
The Roman Catholic Church is Ukraine’s second-largest religious group, accounting for about 10% of the population. The Roman Catholic Church is divided into two main branches: the Latin Rite Catholic Church and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
The Latin Rite Catholic Church is the largest Catholic Church in Ukraine, accounting for about 9% of the Catholic population. The Latin Rite Catholic Church has its headquarters in Kyiv and is a member of the Roman Catholic Church. The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is the second largest Catholic Church in Ukraine, accounting for about 1% of the Catholic population.
The Protestant Church is the third largest religious group in Ukraine, accounting for about 5% of the population. The Protestant Church is divided into two main branches: the Ukrainian Evangelical Church and the Ukrainian Pentecostal Church. The Ukrainian Evangelical Church is the largest Protestant Church in Ukraine, accounting for about 4% of the Protestant population. The Ukrainian Pentecostal Church is the second largest Protestant Church in Ukraine, accounting for about 1% of the Protestant population.
The Muslim community is Ukraine’s fourth most prominent religious group, accounting for about 1% of the population. The Muslim community is divided into two main branches: the Sunni Muslims and the Shia Muslims.
The Jewish community is Ukraine’s fifth most prominent religious group, accounting for less than 1% of the population. This is likely due to the considerable amount of antisemitic laws and acts in Ukraine’s history. The Jewish community has its headquarters in Kyiv and is a member of the World Jewish Congress.
Given the conflict in Ukraine, many people belonging to various religious groups have an uncertain future should Russia win. Likewise, the view of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine is becoming less favorable due to the ongoing Russian violence.
