Ukraine is at a crossroads. Its fledgling democracy is slipping toward authoritarianism. Social, economic, and political interference from Moscow increases.
Religious equality, competitive elections, judicial independence, and freedom of expression are among the foundations that make up a democracy that are now under threat in Ukraine.
The United States and Western Europe consistently fail to understand Russia’s need to influence if not subjugate Ukraine politically and economically in order to assert itself as an international-power. Major Archbishop Shevchuk candraw attention to this issue by public statements, meetingswith world leaders, and motivating Diaspora Ukrainiansto press their elected representatives to be more responsive tothe threats Ukraine’s democracy and sovereignty face. One avenue he’ll likely pursue to strengthen Ukraine and its diverse religious heritage is ecumenical dialogue.
This outreach will include the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate. His intent is laudable and reflects a genuine, sincere Christian spirit. Yet Major Archbishop Shevhuk is no doubt aware, though diplomacy requires his public discretion, that Ukrainianspirituality (especially Greek Catholic, Autocephalous Orthodox, and Orthodox-Kyiv Patriarchate) are incompatible with the Moscow Patriarchate.
The Russian Orthodox Church has allowed itself to be used as a secular tool by becoming an extension of its government’s foreign policy. Ironically, it is the blurring of church and stateseparation that led the Moscow Patriarchate to support an inept, corrupt, and highly dysfunctional autocracy that caused human suffering and contributed to the Russian Revolution. Today, the Russian Orthodox Patriarch’s interference in Ukraine has been relentlessly Machiavellian. The Moscow Patriachate is one of the strongest advocates of the Russiky Mir Foundation.
Established in June 2007, the Foundation promotes East Slavic culture, history, and language throughout the world from a distinctly Russian perspective. In doing so it identifies as Russian the individual contributions of ethnic groups and individuals within them once part of the Imperial and Soviet empires.
This includes marginalizing Ukraine’s distinct culture and heritage. Ukrainian spirituality and Russian Orthodoxy are incompatible. In contrast to Russia,Ukraine has had intermittent experiences with liberty and freedom.The Russian Orthodoxy Church’s understanding of human rights and personal freedom is dramatically different as defined in the West and in context to Ukraine’s history with itsperiods of liberty and exposure to multiple cultures and experiences. It will be a logical and far easier transition for Ukraine toenter the European Union than Russia.
Russians seem safest and happiest with a strong, central authority reflective of the Imperial and Soviet eras. Russian Orthodoxy subscribes to this philosophy and its understandingof democracy and human rights is influencedby it. Major Archbishop Shevchuk has natural allies in Patriarch Filaret of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyiv Patriarchate and Metropolitan Myfodii of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. Together this spiritual triumvirate can press the government to ensure religious equality, basic civil liberties, and the development of a national consciousnessuncorrupted by the influence of itsnorthern neighbor.
Together they cankeep the Moscow Patriachate, anxious to claim and confiscate ancient Ukrainian holy sites, in check. May the Creator bless and grant Major Archbishop Shevchuk many happy, healthy years to serve God, truth, justice, and the Ukrainian people.
Bishop Paul Peter Jesep is the designated U.S. spokesperson of UAOC MetropolitanMyfodii of Kyiv and All Rus-Ukraine
