His Beatitude Onuphry’s citizenship revoked: what is behind Zelensky’s decree
The authorities want to enforce the so-called law "On the UOC Ban". DESS is trying to prove that UOC structures are connected to Moscow. And right now, the authorities find it convenient to "decapitate" the Church.
On July 2, the SBU announced that Zelensky, by his decree, deprived His Beatitude Onuphry of citizenship. Moreover, the wording of the message was extremely disrespectful. The security forces referred to the Primate as the "so-called metropolitan," adding the letters "MP" to the UOC’s name.
But even worse, almost the entire text from the SBU turned out to be false. Judge for yourself: the security forces claimed that the Primate “deliberately opposed the Ukrainian Church’s attainment of canonical independence from the Moscow Patriarchate”, and also that “despite the full-scale invasion, Berezovsky continues to actually support the policy of the Russian Orthodox Church and its leadership, including Patriarch Kirill.”
But these are the words of the SBU. Now let’s look at what actually happened.
On May 27, 2022, the UOC Council in Feofania, presided by Metropolitan Onuphry, broke all administrative ties with the Russian Church and condemned Patriarch Kirill’s position supporting the war. Metropolitan Onuphry terminated his membership in the ROC Synod.
In the very first hours of the war on February 24, 2024, His Beatitude Onuphry strongly condemned the Russian invasion. And quite recently, on the eve of the 3-year anniversary of the Council, the Primate made an Address. It includes, among other things, the following words:
"Unfortunately, after the start of the full-scale invasion, Moscow Patriarch Kirill fully sided with the Russian political leadership, consistently justifying military aggression against Ukraine <…> After May 27, 2022, we are no longer part of the Moscow Patriarchate. The Council clearly stated our Church's aspiration for full canonical independence."
Does this sound like the SBU’s fantasy that His Beatitude “supports the policy of the ROC and Patriarch Kirill”? No, not at all.
But the main accusation from the SBU is the alleged possession of a Russian passport by the Primate of the UOC. Here's a quote: "Berezovsky voluntarily obtained Russian citizenship in 2002." Should we believe these words from the SBU, knowing that they lied about other things? No, we shouldn't.
Metropolitan Onuphry did indeed have Russian citizenship like many other Ukrainians who lived in Russia before the collapse of the USSR.
Political analyst Kostiantyn Bondarenko said: "As for the explanations given by His Beatitude Onuphry back in 2023. And by the way, these scans have already appeared before. This is not any sensation, they have been published multiple times. He gave, in principle, quite detailed and legally verified explanations about how he got this passport.”
The fact is that from 1971, His Beatitude was a monk in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra and had local registration. Accordingly, after the collapse of the USSR, he automatically received Russian citizenship. When Metropolitan Onufriy returned to Ukraine, he obtained a Ukrainian passport. Here's how he himself explained this back in 2023.
"The Russian citizenship was automatically extended, but I was not interested in it and did not use it, it did not matter at the time. There were good fraternal relations between Ukraine and Russia. When these relations began to deteriorate, especially in the last ten years, I renounced Russian citizenship. I do not have a Russian passport. This was especially confirmed when I spoke out against Russia's war with Ukraine and condemned Russian aggression."
Political analyst Kostiantyn Bondarenko added: "Until 1996, having dual citizenship was not prohibited in Ukraine. It was allowed. I know a large number of even Ukrainian generals who had both Ukrainian and Russian citizenship, who served. I know many Verkhovna Rada deputies who had more than one citizenship in the 1990s."
It was only in 2001 that the Law of Ukraine “On Citizenship” came into force, which prohibits dual citizenship. However, the law is not retroactive and does not apply to those who had dual citizenship before its adoption. Moreover, the law does not require renouncing other citizenships if they were acquired earlier.
Yes, the SBU claims that His Beatitude, after renouncing the Russian passport, wanted to obtain it again in 2002. But UOC spokesperson Metropolitan Clement actually accuses the SBU of lying: "Metropolitan Onuphry has no other passports except the Ukrainian one. The Primate of the UOC has never applied to other states, including the Russian Federation, for another citizenship."
Should we believe the SBU's words about the passport, knowing that it lies about other things? Hardly.
Moreover, Zelensky's decree currently looks like an "order". The authorities are currently trying to implement law 3894, which is called "On the UOC Ban." DESS under Yelensky is attempting to prove that the structures of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are connected to Moscow. And right now, the authorities find it convenient to “decapitate” the Church. Zelensky directly refers to this: “Individuals who work against Ukrainian independence in all its dimensions, including against spiritual independence. Everyone who supports aggression or justifies it – all these persons have no place in Ukraine and never will.”
There is another version of why the authorities decided to strike at His Beatitude right now. On July 2, the US made a shocking statement about curtailing military support for Ukraine. And this is a clear threat to the security of our country. And it is quite possible that the decree on Metropolitan Onuphry's citizenship is a mere stage trick to divert the people's attention.
The media and social networks are busy discussing the church topic, and no one is asking "uncomfortable questions" – how the authorities could allow such an outrageous diplomatic failure.
Whatever the case, the crackdown on the Church by the government has reached its peak. Article 25 of the Constitution explicitly prohibits the authorities from depriving Ukrainians of their citizenship: “A citizen of Ukraine shall not be deprived of citizenship. A citizen of Ukraine shall not be expelled from Ukraine or surrendered to another state.”
But it is already clear that Zelensky won’t hold back even if it means violating the Constitution.
Kostiantyn Bondarenko noted: “Taking advantage of the current situation, guided by the decree, they may deport Metropolitan Onuphry from Ukraine <…> to show that, so that everyone fears, so that no one mocks, you know, the authorities can go to any actions.”
The Church has seen many attempts to destroy it throughout its history. And the persecutors were much more serious than the current authorities. They will not succeed now either.
And we, the UOC faithful, must support our Primate. He has prayed for us for so many years. Now it is our turn.
