Ukraine Orthodox Church granted independence from Russian Church [View all]

[muriel_volestrangler]

The recently formed Orthodox Church of Ukraine has been granted independence, marking a historic split from the Russian Church.

The Ecumenical Patriarch in Istanbul, Turkey - the head of the global Orthodox Church - has signed a document giving "autocephaly" or independence.
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Ukraine's churches have for centuries been under the authority of the leaders of the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow.
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Upset at losing its Ukrainian parishes, the Russian Orthodox Church - which is the world's largest - has already cut ties with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the spiritual authority of the world's Orthodox church after it recognised the Ukrainian Church's independence.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-46768270

Much politics involved in this, of course - the Ukrainian president was at the ceremony.