Lies Progressive ‘Orthodox’ Tell About Ukraine

In war, lies bloom like flowers in Spring. Especially when one of the most important theaters of conflict seems to be “social media.” There is a seemingly endless flow of stories about fabricated Ukrainian “heroes” (particularly female) versus odious Russian War criminals. That is all very dangerous for future regional reconciliation. While the normal war propaganda deserves to be called out and debunked, above all the lies pouring forth about the Orthodox Church from globalist, progressive “Orthodox” cannot be allowed to stand. While politics can have a great impact on our relatively short lives, believing lies about the Church can directly impact our eternity.

Below are some of the worst lies.

Lie #1 – The Ukrainian Orthodox Church is Run by Moscow

The point made below from Esquire magazine is the same narrative appearing in “Orthodox” publications, only made much more crassly and plainly as the authors are too ignorant of Orthodoxy to couch their claims in appropriately deceptive language:

When the Soviet Union collapsed, Ukraine had several different Orthodox churches, only one of which was in close relationship to Moscow. In 2018, two of those Ukrainian churches and some of the Moscow-leaning Orthodox parishes joined in a union and created a newly unified Orthodox Church of Ukraine, a fully independent national ecclesial body under no control from Moscow, with its head in the ancient seat of Orthodoxy in Kyiv.

 

Putin and the Moscow Russian Orthodox church authorities protested. They’ve been claiming the 1,000 years of Kyiv Christianity as its own — basically appropriating Ukraine’s church history — to the point of erecting a gigantic (and controversial) statue of St. Vladimir outside of the Kremlin.

This excerpt is from an article on a Roman Catholic site and posted by Archon Elias Damianakis:

Ukraine is home to three major Christian Churches. In addition to the Ukrainian Catholic Church, the country’s Orthodox Christians are divided between members of the self-governing Orthodox Church of Ukrainian, recognized in 2018 by the Patriarch of Constantinople, and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, which falls under the authority of Moscow’s Patriarch Kirill.

The official narrative is that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Moscow Patriarchate is a Russian Church. For decades, the Ukrainians wanted their own, independent church, that was free of Moscow’s control. So two previously competing, non-canonical bodies joined together to request autocephaly. After receiving a Tomos of Autocephaly from Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, they became the Orthodox Church of Ukraine – the one, true canonical church in that country.

Which must mean, if we take matters to a logical conclusion, that the UOC is not the canonical church in Ukraine. Which explains the governmental pressure to remove the name “Ukrainian” from the name of the UOC and replace it with “Russian.” There was even a law to that extent, though it does not appear to have been enforced. But if that is true, then Metropolitan Onuphry is a total fraud. Sure he appears holy and well-respected, but he continues to use the title, “His Beatitude Onuphry, Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine.” If the UOC is not the canonical church of Ukraine, then Metropolitan Onuphry is a liar as he can’t be the Metropolitan of Kiev. That position is filled already, is it not?

His Beatitude Onuphry, Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine honoring mothers with large families.

To make matters worse, Metropolitan Onuphry insists on being referred to as “His Beatitude”, which is a term of address reserved for the ruling hierarch of a self-governing church! But that can’t be, as the UOC isn’t the canonical church, right? The UOC is merely the Russian Orthodox Church operating uncanonically in the canonical territory of an autocephalous church (OCU). Therefore, Metropolitan Onuphry is just a bishop, and his presence in Ukraine (his native country) is actually a sort of “invasion” against OCU – the actual Ukrainian Church. Thus, according to the logic of the Patriarch of Constantinople and anyone else who supports the OCU’s claim to canonical autocephaly, Metropolitan Onuphry is a fraud ruling a collection of schismatics.

No one ever quite puts the argument that way, do they? At least “Metropolitan” Epifaniy, the so-called “primate” of OCU, was honest when he came out and said that all Orthodox Churches in Ukraine belong to him, and he can’t wait to get his hands on them.

The true situation in Ukraine is quite vexing for Constantinople and its allies. Metropolitan Onuphry is well-loved and respected, not only in Ukraine, but also around the world. To make matters worse, 70% or so of the Ukrainian people are actually still part of the UOC under His Beatitude. Are they all schismatics under a lying pretender? That is kind of a hard case to make.

Metropolitan Onuphry leading a procession of over 100k people – in Serbia. Globally, Metropolitan Onuphry is among the most popular and respected Orthodox hierarchs.

Which is why they don’t make it. Supporters of OCU go to great lengths to avoid ever discussing Metropolitan Onuphry. Too many inconvenient facts.  Metropolitan Onuphry is Ukrainian, not Russian. The UOC is self-governing, not run out of Moscow. 70% of Ukrainians have freely chosen to remain in the UOC. Too many facts like this just mess up the narrative. Instead, the religious situation in Ukraine is always framed as Ukrainians versus Russians. The Ukrainians want freedom and big, bad Patriarch Kirill wants to keep them chained to the middle ages. Now, here comes the Russian Army to force everyone back under Moscow’s boot heel.

Sometimes, however, the progressives can’t help themselves and they, unwittingly of course, reveal the truth. Public Orthodoxy is a progressive blog sponsored by leftist academics from the Orthodox Christian Studies Center based at Fordham University. Usually they avoid mentioning Metropolitan Onuphry the way vampires avoid sunlight. In a recent article however, the author couldn’t pass up an opportunity to use Metropolitan Onuphry’s stature to help bolster criticism of the Russian Church:

Only one church hierarch from the Moscow Patriarchate had the courage to call things by their proper names. In sharp contrast to the Patriarch’s inarticulate address, Metropolitan Onufry of Kyiv and All Ukraine, who heads the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, said: “Trouble has struck. Most regrettably, Russia has begun military action against Ukraine, and in this fateful time I urge you not to panic, to be courageous, and to show love for your homeland and for one another. I urge you, first of all, to intensify repentant prayer for Ukraine, for our army and our people, to forget mutual quarrels and misunderstandings and to unite in love for God and our homeland. At this tragic time, we offer special love and support to our soldiers who stand guard and protect and defend our land and our people. May God bless and protect them! Defending the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine, we appeal to the President of Russia and ask for an immediate end to the fratricidal war.”

 

Metropolitan Onufry’s appeal appeared as early as midday on February 24, much earlier than Patriarch Kirill’s reaction. And it is noteworthy that Metropolitan Onufry uses the biblical image of Cain: “The Ukrainian and Russian peoples came out of the Dnieper baptismal font, and the war between these peoples is a repetition of the sin of Cain, who killed his own brother out of envy. Such a war has no justification either with God or with men.” Recognizing the kinship of the peoples of Russia and Ukraine, Onufry gives a merciless assessment of Russia’s actions, comparing it to Cain and thus raising the question of moral responsibility for the deeds committed.

Let us note the following about this passage from the article:

  1. Metropolitan Onuphry is explicitly, in a blog with deep ties to the Greek Archdiocese and the Patriarchate of Constantinople, referred to as being the Metropolitan of Kiev and All Ukraine. That is a title to which, according to writers for the Public Orthodoxy blog, he has no legitimate claim. At best, as noted, he is a Russian Orthodox bishop uncanonically invading Ukrainian soil. But here he is being given the honor of being referred to by his full title. When it is useful to the anti-Russian narrative, he gets to exist, rule Ukraine, and speak with great importance.  Otherwise, he is to be ignored as his existence inconveniences a great many powerful interests.
  2. Wasn’t the whole reason OCU needed to exist was because the UOC, and by extension Metropolitan Onuphry, were agents of Russia? How is it possible that Metropolitan Onuphry issued such a stinging rebuke on behalf of the Ukrainian people? Especially as Russian troops are pouring into Ukraine? There is every reason for Metropolitan Onuphry to expect that he will be under Russian military rule very soon. He is an insightful, intelligent man. The Russian military might not take kindly to his stirring words about them being “Cain”. Most soldiers prefer to think of themselves as heroes, not villains. Metropolitan Onuphry said it anyway. Strange behavior for a Russian vassal.
  3. Where is a quote, any quote, from “Metropolitan” Epifaniy of OCU? True, the article was about the Moscow Patriarchate, of which Epifaniy is not a part. However, a wonderful statement on peace from him could have been a great contrast with the alleged bellicosity of the Patriarch of Moscow. Epifaniy is simply non-existent right now. Not just in this article, but in general. He should be front and center as the face of “Ukrainian” resistance to the Moscow Patriarchate. But, strangely, we hear very little about him. Did he flee, as this article alleges? Are his words embarrassing to Western ears? Or is there some other reason that the focus, even of those who do not support him, is on Metropolitan Onuphry?

Many commentators, not just this Archon, have been exulting in the fact that multiple dioceses of the UOC are choosing to no longer commemorate Moscow.

Many are portraying this as “abandoning” the Russian Church. As per usual, progressives aren’t really thinking this through. If the UOC clergy are Russian puppets, then how can the bishops do such a thing? This seems a pretty “independent” move to make, especially since these bishops are taking such a stand as Russian troops are in the process of conquering  their country. That takes serious guts, not to mention intense faith. Most of our bishops in America cancelled church because they were afraid of a virus with a 99.9% survival rate and/or getting fined by the Health Department. These bishops of the UOC are staring down the gun barrels of the Russian Army. Whether cutting off commemoration is a good or bad thing to do is beyond my ability to say. I really have no idea. But I do know that the UOC bishops are clearly not under Moscow’s control and that they are definitely brave men.

Cutting off commemoration of Patriarch Kirill does not mean that these bishops are somehow “leaving” the “Russian Church.” The UOC is the canonical church of Ukraine. The bishops are continuing to commemorate His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry. The UOC is remaining united in the face of this war. The Chancellor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary addressed the clergy of the Church on this issue:

I appeal to the clergy of our Church. Dear fathers, we stood up and defended our Church when they wanted to force it to follow a non-canonical path. We are all the canonical Church of Christ, the Church of Confessors and Martyrs, for which we are revered throughout the Orthodox world. We must make this choice in this difficult and terrible time. Do not give in to provocations! All ecclesiastical issues should be considered and resolved exclusively within the framework of the canons and the conciliar mind.

 

Let us remain faithful children of the Church of Christ—the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, loyal to our Primate—His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry.

That seems like excellent advice. Few things done in the heat of a crisis are done wisely.  The future relationship of the UOC to the Russian Church is up to God, whose will we may not yet fully discern. But one thing is abundantly clear, if Moscow ruled the UOC as so many allege, these signs of independence would not be happening at all.

The truth: the UOC is a self-governing church ruled by a Ukrainian-born primate with a flock that consists primarily of Ukrainian Orthodox Christians. There was never a need for the OCU. Ever. It was all a lie. The worst part? All of the supporters of the OCU know it.

Which is why they completely mis-frame the religious issue in every way possible:

Putin has brazenly violated the international order, just as Kirill has flagrantly ignored the ecclesiastical order by breaking communion with the Ecumenical Patriarchate over its right to grant autocephaly to the Orthodox Church in Ukraine, another courageous breakaway from Kirill’s Russias.

The issue is not the “power” or “right” of Constantinople to grant autocephaly. That may be an issue, but it is not “the” issue in this case. Ukraine already had a self-governing Church run by Ukrainians and for Ukrainians. The Patriarch of Constantinople stepped into the country, totally ignoring the canonical Church, and legitimized a “church” full of schismatics for transparently political reasons.

While the supposed “dominance” of the UOC by Russia was one main reason to form the “autocephalous” OCU, the pastoral need to reach the members of the schismatic bodies has also been cited:

Patriarch Bartholomew seemed to understand the most pressing dilemma of the Ukrainian Church crisis. Two realities collided in the religious status quo: there was no consensus on a solution, and millions of faithful were outside of communion from the Church.

As in the above quote, commentators frequently make it seem like the majority of Ukrainians are outside of the UOC, and that there was a mass movement to demand an autocephalous church. This is a complete misrepresentation. The national church of Ukraine is the UOC. 70% of Ukrainians belong to the UOC. The UOC has 12,064 active parishes, making it still the largest church in Ukraine. The UOC has 110 bishops, 53 dioceses, 12,456 clergy, 4,548 monks, and 255 monasteries.  The OCU has only 4,807 parishes. Even after years of “autocephaly”, only a few hundred parishes have left the UOC for the OCU.

This whole effort to create the OCU has been a dismal, unnecessary failure. And not because of “Russian” influence, either. The Ukrainian people rejected this non-canonical abomination all on their own. When commentators ignore the UOC to focus on the Russian Church, it is the rankest form of propaganda.

Lie #2 – Ukraine is a Democracy

All day long, Americans are lectured that we must protect Ukraine because it is a plucky democracy fighting an authoritarian state. Let us leave aside the Neocon / Neoliberal talking point about the West’s duty to defend democracy around the world. Instead, let’s just focus on whether or not Ukraine even is a democracy.

Ukraine currently sits near the bottom of all indices that rank nations based on public corruption. The Hunter Biden situation is not unusual for Ukraine. Buying and selling of influence is a fact of daily life. President Zelensky was elected partly on a promise to reform this rotten system. Instead of draining the swamp, he became a swamp creature himself.

Under Zelensky, Ukraine is guilty of the same kinds of authoritarianism of which Putin’s Russia is often accused.

This includes arresting opposition leaders:

A top Ukrainian opposition politician with close links to Russian President Vladimir Putin was placed under house arrest Thursday, days after being charged with treason.

Viktor Medvedchuk, who heads the Opposition Platform for Life party, the largest opposition force in parliament, denies the charges brought against him last week and says they’re politically motivated.

Shutting down opposition media:

Three pro-Russian TV channels have gone off the air in Kyiv after pro-Western President Volodymyr Zelenskiy signed a Ukrainian security council decree imposing sanctions for five years on eight media and TV companies.

If Ukraine were a functioning democracy, then we wouldn’t be in this crisis. The people of Ukraine voted for Zelensky because he promised to reform the system and make peace with Russia. Instead, he gave them more corruption and got them destroyed by a Russian invasion. The current war pits a corrupt, authoritarian political class in Ukraine versus a corrupt, authoritarian political class in Russia.

The common people get the privilege of suffering and dying as a result. But don’t worry, no billionaires of any nationality will be harmed.

Do Americans want to die and/or risk nuclear war to protect such a “democracy”? Not at all. Especially since the last two years have exposed the fact that supposedly “democratic” Western nations are capable of monstrous oppression of their own people in the name of a “crisis.” Perhaps we should see to the state of our own governing systems, before going to war in the name of someone else’s?

Some final thoughts. Hitler came to power legally via a democratic process. So did Justin Trudeau.  Democracy is not some magical process that ensures good government. Horrible people win elections all the time and do horrible things. We don’t owe any form of government our undying allegiance, nor our unqualified military support.

Lie #3 – The West is not Pushing LGBTQ and Abortion on Ukraine

Progressive “Orthodox” are fully on-board with the LGBTQ agenda. But given the nature of Orthodoxy, they usually hide their advocacy by pretending to be “exploring the topic” or “having a dialogue.” When criticizing Putin or Orban in Hungary, progressive “Orthodox” often say that it is paranoid to believe that the “West” is pushing the LGBTQ agenda in other countries. It is just the fear mongering of unscrupulous politicians capitalizing on religious fundamentalism.

But is that true? Are concerns about the “West” pushing an agenda of degeneracy on client states really overblown? If you judge by Ukraine, then absolutely not.

The pro-Western coup happened in 2014. If you look at mainstream sources, the increase in LGBT Rights is reckoned from 2015, right after the coup. Gay Pride parades were originally discouraged in this very conservative country. However, the most recent Gay Pride parade in Kiev was the largest ever. Participation is growing and the event now attracts foreign celebrities, politicians, and diplomats.

President Zelensky is extremely socially liberal. Among his policy positions, he supports the free distribution of medical cannabis, free abortion in Ukraine, and the legalization of prostitution and gambling. In addition to LGBTQ rights, of course. Prior to the war, he opposed the legalization of weapons. Now he releases criminals from jail, hands them rifles for free, and asks them to fight Russians.

Patriarch Bartholomew warmly greeting Ukrainian President Zelensky. Did Zelensky’s progressive social agenda come up in discussions?

Oh, and Zelensky also did a video dancing in drag and acting “gay”. He may have been funny as a comic actor, but he is definitely not the kind of leader one would expect for a deeply conservative, religious people like the Ukrainians.

The Western LGBTQ community has taken this war to heart. Ukraine is hardly a “gay rights” paradise. However, activists are aware that as long as a “pro-Western” government rules in Kiev, progress will keep being made towards the country becoming the San Francisco of Eastern Europe.

This also partially explains the international support for the OCU. The OCU is seen as being more malleable on moral issues than the staunchly conservative UOC. Ukrainian nationalists are willing to compromise on traditional morality to ensure Western funding for their agenda.

In an interesting twist, certain elements of the Western Media have also decided to make this war about Transgenderism.

 

In the Western mind, “democracy” is less about free and fair elections, and more about a dedication to certain “approved” policy positions, including the mainstreaming of homosexuality and transgenderism. This is not something many of us are willing to support with our blood and our tax dollars – at home or abroad. Most Ukrainians feel the same way. Ukraine is staunchly conservative, which helps explain why 70% of Ukrainians have stuck with the “intolerant” Orthodox Church – the UOC.

Lie #4 – There are Different “Kinds” of Orthodoxy

“Russian” Orthodoxy is bad and needs to be resisted by civilized people. Here is Esquire again:

The conflict in Ukraine is all about religion and what kind of Orthodoxy will shape Eastern Europe and other Orthodox communities around the world (especially in Africa). Religion. This is a crusade, recapturing the Holy Land of Russian Orthodoxy, and defeating the westernized (and decadent) heretics who do not bend the knee to Moscow’s spiritual authority.

 

If you don’t get that, you don’t get it. Who is going to control the geographical home, the “Jerusalem,” of the Russian church? Moscow? Or Constantinople? And, what does claiming that territory mean for Orthodoxy around the world? Will global Orthodoxy lean toward a more pluralistic and open future, or will it be part of the authoritarian neo-Christendom triumvirate?

The Patriarchate of Constantinople, and its Greek Archdiocese in the US, represent a “pluralistic and open future” of democracy, gay rights, transgenderism, abortion, medical cannabis, equity, inclusion, diversity, and pretty much everything else on a Democratic Party platform. That is the desired “spiritual” future not just for Ukraine, but for all Orthodox Christians. “Russian” Orthodoxy represents authoritarianism, repression, and outdated morals.

True Orthodoxy is compatible with post-enlightenment, Western-style democracy. In fact, “democracy” and “pluralism” are practically on the level of Orthodox dogma. To be truly Orthodox, one must be acceptable on the academic tea party circuit.

But this argument for an “enlightened” Orthodoxy versus a “repressive” Orthodoxy is simply so much modern revisionism. In the “West” just as in the “East”, it was always assumed that a Christian government would use the law to preserve public morals and good order. This is a prayer from the Liturgy of St. Tikhon used by many Western Rite Orthodox parishes:

We beseech thee also, so to direct and dispose the hearts of all Christian Rulers, that they may truly and impartially administer justice, to the punishment of wickedness and vice, and to the maintenance of thy true religion and virtue.

Wickedness and vice are the center points of the electoral platforms of President Zelensky and Western “liberals”. The traditional “Orthodox” position has not changed and cannot change. It is the post-enlightenment West that has changed. Governments in the West still enforce religious morals, just different ones. Protest Justin Trudeau’s authoritarianism and get your bank account frozen. Expose young children to gay sex, and you’ll be rewarded for it with a cable TV show.

Can a government, under the influence of the Orthodox Church, go too far in enforcing Christian moral standards? Of course it can. You can’t really force people to live more moral lives in private. But you can stop them from prancing naked in the street at a “Pride” parade or running an abortion clinic or grooming children.

Lie #5 – The West Should Encourage Ukraine to Fight

The US encouraged Ukraine to “stand tall” against Russia. As a result, Ukrainians are dying and their country is being destroyed.

They have no chance of “victory”. It is time for the West to stop sending arms and to stop encouraging them to fight to the last man. Ukraine must surrender, and work the best deal possible under the circumstances. The Western dreams of turning Ukraine into the Netherlands with better liturgies is going to die, one way or another. There is no need for more Ukrainians to die with it.

Nicholas – member of the Western Rite Vicariate, a part of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese in America

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