The ban on the UOC did not help either the OCU or the RCC

The situation with the misuse of the Refectory Church of the Kyiv Cave Monastery has become a matter of public concern not only in Ukraine but also in the world. However, we would like to draw attention to how representatives of Ukrainian denominations reacted to the culinary show in the Lavra.

First of all, the reaction of the OCU is noteworthy, or rather, its actual absence. At the official level, the OCU, which is now in charge of the Kyiv Cave Monastery, honored the event with silence. It is noteworthy that immediately after the scandal with the “cooking show,” an orchestra played in the Refectory Church on Sunday afternoon and folk dances were held. The OCU remained silent on this.

Naturally, it makes no sense to expect any adequate reaction from the Ukrainian schismatics. They are in complete symphony and harmony with the authorities. They should not bite the hand that feeds them, after all. Moreover, some speakers of the OCU, such as Georgy Kovalenko, who has lost his mind, have already managed to “move the needle” to the phantom “Russian IPSO.” Kovalenko, for example, sees no problem with the Refectory Church being turned into a showroom.

But the RCC reacted even more cynically. The head of the Kyiv-Zhytomyr Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine, Vitaliy Kryvytsky, called what happened in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra an uprising of a “communist hydra.” In general, his comment was just wow! Vigorous! Critical! But here’s the thing: a few days earlier, he also took part in Zelensky’s “Prayer Breakfast” held in the same Refectory Church.

The interest of Catholics and their theatrical indignation are understandable. In the published text, Krivitsky gently hinted that if the “communist hydra” is not a “hydra” after all, as we all thought, then it would be nice to prove it by returning the churches and other premises taken from them under the Soviets to the RCC. The first such object that the RCC would like to get is, of course, St. Nicholas Church in the capital. And, I must say, unlike the OCU, the RCC is not afraid to push the Ukrainian government, which, judging by recent events, is slowly sliding toward its decline. The RCC will remain the RCC under any circumstances and under any government.

But still, there is something that unites both the OCU and the RCC in this matter. I want to write UGCC, but not now. These two denominations are united by tacit consent and even support within the AUCCRO for the ban of the UOC and the expulsion of the Church from the Lavra. In addition, both denominations told international human rights organizations that Ukraine has the highest level of freedom of conscience. Did they really think that after the government cracked down on the UOC, they would enjoy prosperity and all their dreams would come true?

It is all those religious organizations that supported the ban on the UOC that are responsible for the secularization of Ukrainian society! And don’t expect any mercy or privileges! This very society is now demonstrating that this order of things is quite suitable for them. So, Mr. Kryvytsky, do not wait for your churches to be returned to you in Ukraine. On the contrary, hope that, as in most of “civilized Europe,” they have not been leased out as pubs and hotels.