January 10, 2023

It's My Church Now


It's My Church Now
Epiphanius I (center left) at Christmas Liturgy in the Assumption Cathedral, January 7, 2023. NV, Youtube

On January 7, Epiphanius I, the Primate of Kyiv and All of Ukraine, conducted Christmas Liturgy in the Assumption Cathedral in Kyiv, traditionally used by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP).

The Assumption Cathedral was destroyed by the Soviets during World War II and rebuilt in the late nineties. After being consecrated again in 2000, the building was leased by the UOC-MP from its owner, the Ukrainian state. Even after breaking away from the Moscow Patriarchate in 2019, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate (UOC-KP) didn't have access to the building until recently, after tensions with Moscow reached a head.

At the end of 2022, the UOC-MP's lease expired for the two largest churches in Ukraine's spiritual hub, Assumption Cathedral and the Refectory Church in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. The Ukrainian State refused to renew the contract. The UOC-MP vicar of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra wrote a letter to President Volodymyr Zelensky, asking him to reconsider the decision, but the request was refused.

Ukrainian authorities have been investigating the ties between the UOC-MP and Moscow after finding pro-Russian government literature and symbols in many churches and monasteries. The future of the UOC-MP in Ukraine remains uncertain, as government officials claim that religious organizations affiliated with Russia should not operate in the country.

 

 

You Might Also Like

War or Celebration?
  • January 02, 2023

War or Celebration?

Ukraine, parts of Russia, and cities in Latvia banned fireworks for New Year's celebrations over concerns about the war.
A Year of Decline
  • December 31, 2022

A Year of Decline

Russia’s War on Ukraine is exacting deep and enduring economic and social costs on the country.
Russian Orthodox Christmas
  • December 13, 2007

Russian Orthodox Christmas

The Church's celebration of the Nativity is on January 7th; information about the Feasts of Christ's coming into the world and Scripture readings for the services and Liturgies.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas
October 01, 2013

The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas

This exciting new trilogy by a Russian author – who has been compared to Orhan Pamuk and Umberto Eco – vividly recreates a lost world, yet its passions and characters are entirely relevant to the present day. Full of mystery, memorable characters, and non-stop adventure, The Pet Hawk of the House of Abbas is a must read for lovers of historical fiction and international thrillers.

 
Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

At the Circus
January 01, 2013

At the Circus

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.

The Latchkey Murders
July 01, 2015

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...

Jews in Service to the Tsar
October 09, 2011

Jews in Service to the Tsar

Benjamin Disraeli advised, “Read no history: nothing but biography, for that is life without theory.” With Jews in Service to the Tsar, Lev Berdnikov offers us 28 biographies spanning five centuries of Russian Jewish history, and each portrait opens a new window onto the history of Eastern Europe’s Jews, illuminating dark corners and challenging widely-held conceptions about the role of Jews in Russian history.

Murder and the Muse
December 12, 2016

Murder and the Muse

KGB Chief Andropov has tapped Matyushkin to solve a brazen jewel heist from Picasso’s wife at the posh Metropole Hotel. But when the case bleeds over into murder, machinations, and international intrigue, not everyone is eager to see where the clues might lead.

The Little Humpbacked Horse
November 03, 2014

The Little Humpbacked Horse

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955