Metropolitan Luka criticized the UGCC's strategy to assert its influence in Ukraine

Metropolitan Luka of Zaporizhzhya criticized the strategy of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) aimed at positioning itself as a «truly Ukrainian» and «cathedral» church. In his opinion, the UGCC uses methods of «historical appropriation», manipulates terminology and applies the tactics of «ecumenism from below» in order to strengthen its position and displace the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

According to the Telegram channel Pravblog, the reason for the analysis was the UGCC conference «Common Baptismal Heritage: the Path to Unity,» which, according to the source, was held in Dnipro on October 15, 2025. Metropolitan Luka claims that through such events the UGCC attempts to create a false historical continuity by projecting its origins into the pre-Uniate past.

The key method the hierarch points to is «historical appropriation.» He emphasizes that the UGCC, which emerged as a result of the Union of Brest in 1596 and submission to Rome, claims to be the direct heir to the Baptism of Rus’ in 988. According to the Metropolitan, this creates a false continuity, while the Orthodox Church has maintained apostolic succession from Constantinople since the Baptism.

Among other techniques, Metropolitan Luke singles out «ecumenism from below,» where joint humanitarian activities and prayers for peace are used to create an emotional unity that is not supported on a dogmatic level. The use of specific terminology as a tool of influence is also noted. For example, the term «Kyiv Church» instead of «Kyiv Metropolitan Church» is used to allude to ancient autocephaly, and «Eastern Rite» reduces Byzantine tradition to the level of ritual within the Latin paradigm.

In conclusion, the Metropolitan notes that the modern UGCC has moved away from aggressive Latinization and has relied on a «Byzantine revivalist» discourse. This allows it to position itself more effectively as a «truly Ukrainian» church and to contrast itself with the canonical UOC, which the Uniates seek to present as «Russified» and «Moscow». Such a strategy, according to the author of the analysis, makes proselytizing the UGCC more attractive in the conditions of state nationalization.

Let us remind you that on September 1, 2025 in Zaporizhzhya there was a solemn opening of a Catholic school named after Don Bosco. The full-fledged educational institution, which was built in 14 months, will operate under the auspices and spiritual care of the Donetsk Exarchate of the UGCC.