Hierarch of the UOC accused Patriarch Kirill of betrayal and political engagement

The hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Yevlogiy (Hutchenko) of Sumy and Akhtyrskyy, who represents the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), has strongly criticized Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. The hierarch accused the Russian Orthodox Church leader of supporting the military aggression against Ukraine, calling his actions a betrayal towards believers and a consequence of dependence on the Russian authorities.

In an interview with Archdeacon Andrei Palchuk, a cleric of the Odessa diocese of the UOC, Metropolitan Yevlogy emphasized that Patriarch Kirill had actually ceased to be a spiritual leader. According to the hierarch of the UOC, the Primate of the ROC “grovels before the authorities of the Russian Federation,” which determines his current position on the events in Ukraine.

“He is a politician, he is not a spiritual person. RegardingUkraine, I apologize, but he betrayed us, he disowned us,” said Metropolitan Sumy. He also noted the impossibility of remembering the Patriarch as “his father” in the current circumstances. As a historical example, the hierarch mentioned Patriarch Tikhon (Bellavin), who during the Russian Civil War called for peace, while the current head of the Russian Orthodox Church, according to Metropolitan Yevlogy, chose the path of denying his flock.

We shall remind you that earlier Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, on the eve of the New Year 2026, called on believers to pray for the advent of good changes in Ukraine, which would contribute to the strengthening of Orthodoxy, the unity of the Russian Church and the prosperity of the Ukrainian people.