Catholicos of All Armenians Urges Ukraine to Preserve Orthodox Unity Following Ban on Russian Church

The head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, has voiced strong concerns over recent developments in Ukraine that threaten the unity of the Orthodox community. His appeal comes in response to the Ukrainian parliament's recent decision to ban the activities of the canonical Russian Orthodox Church within Ukraine, a move that has sparked widespread alarm among religious leaders.

Father Yesayi Artenyan, Director of the Information System of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, conveyed the Catholicos’ message, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the long-standing unity of the Orthodox community in Ukraine. "The Catholicos of All Armenians expressed his position regarding this alarming problem related to the religious life of Ukraine when the law on the protection of the constitutional order in the field of activities of religious organizations was still being developed," Father Artenyan stated.

Despite early warnings from the Armenian Church and other religious institutions about the potential negative consequences of such legislation, the Ukrainian parliament moved forward with the law, citing the influence of the current political climate. The new legislation, which aims to protect the constitutional order in religious activities, has drawn criticism for its potential to disrupt the unity of the Orthodox faithful in Ukraine.

The Catholicos has made a heartfelt appeal to the Ukrainian people, their authorities, and legislators, urging them to preserve the historically established unity of the Orthodox community. He called for the protection of the rights of existing religious communities, including the faithful and clergy, and for respect for the integrity of religious sanctuaries. "It is the wish of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the pious people that the Russian-Ukrainian conflict be resolved as soon as possible by God's mercy, unacceptable phenomena disrupting church life be ruled out, and the rich traditions of friendship between brotherly peoples experienced for centuries be restored," Father Artenyan added.

The Ukrainian parliament, known as the Verkhovna Rada, recently passed a law that effectively bans the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church and its affiliated organizations within Ukraine. The bill, which was passed in its second reading with 265 lawmakers voting in favor, is seen as a direct response to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

According to Ukrainian MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has been given nine months to sever its ties with the Russian Orthodox Church. The new law amends Article 5 of Ukraine’s law on freedom of conscience and religious organizations, stating that any religious group with connections to a church whose governing center is in Russia will no longer be allowed to operate in Ukraine.

Furthermore, Section 16 of Article 6 has been updated to allow the suspension of a religious organization’s activities by court order if it violates this new law. This suspension can be initiated by either the central body of the executive power responsible for religious policy or by the prosecutor's request.

The law is set to take effect one month after its official publication but has yet to be signed by Ukraine’s president. The legislation has sparked significant debate, with supporters arguing it is necessary for national security, while critics warn it could lead to further religious division in the country.

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which has been historically linked to the Russian Orthodox Church, now faces a challenging transition. The new law forces the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to redefine its identity and sever longstanding ties with its Russian counterpart. This move has raised concerns among religious leaders across the Orthodox world, who fear that the law could lead to a fragmentation of the Orthodox community in Ukraine and beyond.

The Armenian Apostolic Church’s call for unity reflects a broader concern within the Christian community about the potential for increased division and conflict as a result of this law. The appeal from Catholicos Karekin II highlights the importance of preserving the spiritual and cultural bonds that have united Orthodox Christians for centuries.