UOC MP Declares Ongoing Legal Challenges Against Zelensky’s Decree Over Citizenship Issue
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) asserts that their leader, Metropolitan Onuphrius, does not possess Russian citizenship. Church representatives emphasize that he holds only Ukrainian passports and that any claims suggesting otherwise are unfounded. Spokesman of the UOC MP, Metropolitan Klyment, stated in an interview with 'Suspilne' that Onuphrius has not applied to Russian authorities for any new citizenship. He considers the accusations about possessing Russian citizenship to be baseless and false. Furthermore, Klyment announced that the Metropolitan intends to challenge the presidential decree that stripped him of Ukrainian citizenship. According to him, all official documents confirm his sole citizenship as Ukrainian, and no other passports are held. The issue gained widespread attention after the Security Service of Ukraine announced on July 2 that President Zelensky had revoked the Ukrainian citizenship of Orest Berezovsky, known as Onuphrius, for having acquired Russian citizenship in 2002 without informing Ukrainian authorities. Despite holding dual citizenship, Berezovsky maintained Ukrainian status and continued to use it actively. Even amid Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Berezovsky – Onuphrius – continues to support the policies of the Russian Orthodox Church and its leadership, including Patriarch Kirill, who publicly blessed Russia’s war against Ukraine. This stance raises numerous questions about his loyalties and position amid the current geopolitical crisis.