- ENG.UATV.UA - A La Une - 02/Jul 13:44

Zelenskyy revokes Ukrainian citizenship of Metropolitan Onufriy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a decree revoking the Ukrainian citizenship of Orest Berezovsky, better known as Metropolitan Onufriy, the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate). That is according to the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), Ukrinform reports. "Based on materials provided by the SSU, Ukrainian citizenship has been revoked for Orest Berezovsky, more widely known as a figure of the UOC-MP — Metropolitan Onufriy. The respective decree was signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy," the statement reads. According to the SSU, Berezovsky voluntarily obtained Russian citizenship in 2002 and failed to notify Ukrainian authorities, as required by law. Despite this, he continued to use his Ukrainian citizenship status. "The SSU has information indicating that Berezovsky (Onufriy) maintains ties with the Moscow Patriarchate and has actively opposed the canonical independence of the Ukrainian Church from the Moscow Patriarchate — whose representatives openly support Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Even after the full-scale invasion, Berezovsky continues to support the Russian Orthodox Church and its leadership, including Patriarch Kirill (Gundyayev)," the agency said. The SSU recalled that Kirill has publicly blessed Russia's armed aggression and promotes propaganda that justifies and incites genocide against the Ukrainian people. By supporting Russia's aggressive policies, he aids the criminal actions of the Kremlin leadership. "The Security Service of Ukraine continues to take all necessary measures to protect the Ukrainian state and society from any forms of Russian aggression," the statement said. Read also: Ukraine Clarifies Law on Religious Organizations: Not a Ban on Churches, But a Defense of National Sovereignty The post Zelenskyy revokes Ukrainian citizenship of Metropolitan Onufriy appeared first on Freedom.