**Ukraine Suspends Citizenship of Moscow-Linked Church Head**
On July 2, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced that Metropolitan Onufrii’s Ukrainian citizenship had been suspended by a presidential decree. This decision was made after the SBU established that Onufrii, who is also known as Orest Berezovskyi, had voluntarily received Russian citizenship in 2002 without informing Ukrainian authorities.
Under Ukraine’s new law on multiple citizenship, holding a Russian passport is grounds for the removal of Ukrainian citizenship. The SBU pointed out that Onufrii has maintained ties with the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and actively resisted Ukraine’s efforts to secure ecclesiastical independence from Moscow and its leader, Patriarch Kirill.
**Growing Scrutiny on Moscow-Linked Church**
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) has faced growing scrutiny and public criticism in Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Many officials have accused it of maintaining loyalty to Moscow and undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty. The church is separate from the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, which was granted autocephaly by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople in 2019.
**Support for Russian Policies**
The SBU stated that Metropolitan Onufrii continues to support the policies of the Russian Orthodox Church and its leadership, particularly Patriarch Kirill. This statement comes after President Zelensky signed a law in 2024 banning the activities of religious organizations affiliated with Russia, which was widely seen as targeting the UOC-MP.
**Investigations into UOC-MP Members**
Since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, over 100 UOC-MP clergy members have come under criminal investigation for alleged collaboration with Russian forces or spreading pro-Kremlin propaganda. Nearly 50 have been charged, and courts have issued verdicts in 26 cases.
**Church Insists on Legitimacy**
The UOC-MP continues to insist that it operates within Ukrainian law and that its 2022 declaration of independence from Moscow was genuine. However, many in Ukraine view this as purely symbolic and lacking credibility.
**What’s Next?**
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Metropolitan Onufrii’s suspended citizenship will affect his role in the UOC-MP. The move is likely to further strain relations between the church and the Ukrainian government.
