In an open letter to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, numerous hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) have expressed their “sincere concern” over the recent revocation of Ukrainian citizenship from Metropolitan Onufriy, Primate of the UOC, urging the President to “restore justice” and defend the spiritual dignity of one of Ukraine’s most respected religious leaders.
The appeal, made public by the UOC’s Information and Education Department, follows reports that Ukrainian authorities had revoked Metropolitan Onufriy’s citizenship based on claims from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) that he had voluntarily acquired Russian citizenship in 2002. Metropolitan Onufriy has publicly denied these allegations, affirming that he holds only a Ukrainian passport.
The hierarchs wrote: “We, the hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, address you sincerely and at the same time with concern, in relation to the deprivation of Metropolitan Onufriy of Kyiv and All Ukraine — a patriot, citizen, faithful son of his native Ukrainian land — of the citizenship of Ukraine.”
Describing Metropolitan Onufriy as a man of prayer and unwavering national loyalty, they emphasized his leadership role during the ongoing war, recalling his immediate condemnation of the Russian invasion in February 2022: “In the very first hours of the invasion of troops of the Russian Federation in Ukrainian territory, he publicly condemned it and called upon all the faithful to pray and defend the Motherland. He stayed here, with his flock, and blessed our Ukrainian army to defend the Motherland.”
The letter highlights the extensive humanitarian work coordinated by the UOC under Onufriy’s leadership: “By the efforts of the Church, thousands of tonnes of humanitarian aid were collected and transferred… equipment and automobiles for evacuation and the needs of medical help were purchased… significant funds were raised for supporting widows and orphans.”
They stress that the UOC is not engaged in political lobbying but has remained focused on its mission to serve the people spiritually and practically: “The Church’s mission is not to serve political objectives or circumstances, but to reconcile man with God.”
The hierarchs also reminded the President of Metropolitan Onufriy’s decisive role in distancing the UOC from the Moscow Patriarchate. “His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy became the initiator and author of the fateful Council… which fundamentally changed the realities of our ecclesiastical life… The Council decided to separate the UOC from the Patriarchate of Moscow, and expressed disagreement with the position of Patriarch Kirill on the war in Ukraine.”
Quoting Metropolitan Onufriy’s own reflection, they added: “Unfortunately, after the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow fully took the side of the Russian political leadership and consistently justified the military aggression against Ukraine.”
The letter concludes with a heartfelt plea: “We ask you, dear Mr President, to restore justice… to defend the truth, honour, dignity, and spiritual prestige of one of the most respected shepherds of the multi-million Ukrainian Orthodox Church… We offer up our diligent prayers for you and your family.”
Read the open letter below:
President of Ukraine
Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy
Dear Mr President!
We, the hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, address you sincerely and at the same time with concern, in relation to the deprivation of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy of Kyiv and All Ukraine — a patriot, citizen, faithful son of his native Ukrainian land — of the citizenship of Ukraine.
His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy is not only the Primate of the Church, which serves God and unites millions of citizens of Ukraine, but also a shepherd who stated his position clearly, unequivocally, decisively, and responsibly at the very beginning of the war. In the very first hours of the invasion of troops of the Russian Federation in Ukrainian territory, he publicly condemned it and called upon all the faithful to pray and defend the Motherland. He stayed here, with his flock, and blessed our Ukrainian army to defend the Motherland.
With the blessing of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy, and under his spiritual guidance, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has carried out broad humanitarian and charity activities throughout the entire full-fledged war against our state. Over these years, by the efforts of the Church, thousands of tonnes of humanitarian aid were collected and transferred, and medicine, equipment, and automobiles for evacuation and for the needs of medical help were purchased, amounting to hundreds of millions of hryvnias, and also significant funds were raised for supporting widows and orphans who were victims of the war.
Our clergymen and believers serve in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and defend the integrity, sovereignty, and independence of our state. It can be said without exaggeration that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the leadership of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy is currently one of the largest charity organisations in Ukraine.
We do not seek glory or recognition in this — it is our spiritual and civil duty. But the decision to deprive His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy of his citizenship, a sincere Ukrainian, who lives and keeps living a Ukrainian life, brought pain to the hearts of millions of believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
This is also attested by the fact that, according to social surveys, the name of our Primate has been ranked among the most influential figures in our Ukrainian state this year.
The Church’s mission is not to serve political objectives or circumstances, but to reconcile man with God. The Church existed, exists, and will exist regardless of what is happening in the world. Her purpose is to help man to find salvation, learn to love each other and one’s neighbour, and be worthy of the high name of ‘Christian’. This is what His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy always stresses in his sermons. He is not a politician, he is a man of prayer and spiritual person, which you were able to see for yourself during your meetings with him.
His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy has always demonstrated a spiritual and patriotic approach in connection with the fate of our Motherland, Ukraine.
That is why His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy became the initiator and author of the fateful Council of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church held on 27 May 2022 at Feofaniia, which fundamentally changed the realities of our ecclesiastical life: the Council decided to separate the UOC from the Patriarchate of Moscow, and expressed disagreement with the position of Patriarch Kirill on the war in Ukraine.
Metropolitan Onufriy emphasised in his address on the occasion of the third anniversary of the Council: ‘Unfortunately, after the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow fully took the side of the Russian political leadership and consistently justified the military aggression against Ukraine.’
Since the beginning of the war, ardent prayer for our native Ukraine, for the authorities, for her heroic defenders, for the overcoming of the Russian aggression, and for peace is incessantly offered up at all churches of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church during every divine service.
Today, at a time of war, our country and our people especially need peace, harmony, and unity, not discord. Millions of parishioners of the UOC, who love and respect their Primate, are an integral part of Ukrainian society.
That is why we ask you, dear Mr President, to restore justice, which will be not only a manifestation of the strength of the state but also a sign of your wisdom.
On behalf of millions of believers, the clergy, and monastics of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, we ask you, dear Mr President, to defend the truth, honour, dignity, and spiritual prestige of one of the most respected shepherds of the multi-million Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and revise the decision to terminate the Ukrainian citizenship of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy of Kyiv and All Ukraine.
We offer up our diligent prayers for you and your family.
May the Heavenly hosts keep you!
With profound respect,
EPISCOPATE OF THE UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
