Revocation of citizenship is a flagrant injustice, but it does not take away our faith or the spiritual authority of the UOC clergy – Metropolitan Luke

Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol has commented on the news of the revocation of citizenship of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, emphasizing the spiritual meaning of this event. «They took the passport — they cannot take Christ,» the hierarch stated. He called on the faithful to see in this a sign of the times: «It is clear that the Lord has ‘taken us seriously’: internal upheavals, COVID, full-scale war, legal threats of a ban, searches, trials, imprisonments, and now direct, undisguised pressure on the Primate.» The statement was published on the Metropolitan’s Telegram channel.

According to Metropolitan Luke, the revocation of citizenship is «a form of political repression without proper legal procedures and in violation of the Constitution of Ukraine.» Despite this, the Primate remains with his people: «Although the state has taken away his citizenship, his spiritual duties — prayer, pastoral care, preaching — remain.» As the Metropolitan stresses, canonical faithfulness and spiritual unity with the Primate are more important than any political decisions.

The hierarch warns that this move benefits those seeking political gain: «It is convenient for demonstrating to the electorate a fight against ‘Russian influence’ inside the country. It also distracts attention from socio-economic problems.» He also notes the international implications: «This step will again provoke discussions in international forums about Kyiv’s violation of the rights of the Orthodox Church.»

Regarding the expected benefits for the OCU, the Metropolitan notes: «Representatives of the ‘OCU’… think that this will expand their influence, weaken the UOC, and simplify the transfer of parishes… However, we have seen in recent years that coercive pressure only leads to rejection.» He reminds us that the Church has already endured such trials: «Church history knows many examples when persecution strengthened the faith. Christ Himself taught: ‘Blessed are you when they persecute you…'»

In conclusion, Metropolitan Luke calls the faithful to spiritual resilience: «Today’s blow is a moment of purification and unity, not of defeat… Besides our temporary earthly citizenship, we have eternal citizenship — Heavenly, and no passport is needed there.» He urges believers «to pray — for their pastors, for the Church, and for peace in our land,» to maintain unity, avoid political rhetoric, and draw strength from the example of the new martyrs.

It should be recalled that the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, signed a decree revoking the citizenship of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry.