Only 1/3 of Ukrainians okay the idea of creating Local Church, – survey
A national survey was conducted during May 19-25, 2018
About 31% of Ukrainians support the creation of an autocephalous Local Orthodox Church in Ukraine, and 20% are firmly against it, as evidenced by the results of a recent survey conducted by the Democratic Initiatives Foundation and the sociological Razumkov Center, reports ”Strana”.
The study showed that the rest of the population either does not care (35%), or they have no definite answer (14%). Even among religious people, 40% gave neither an affirmative nor negative answer.
The biggest support for the creation of an autocephalous Church comes from Western (58%) and Central Ukraine (35%).
The creation of an autocephalous Church is not supported in Southern (24% against, 9% for) and Eastern Ukraine (28% against, 10% for), or in Donbass (28% against, 18.5% for).
Additionally, 56.7% of respondents said that governmental authorities should not interfere in the matter of the creation a Local Church. Only 7% believe they should, and 17.1% believe the authorities can make efforts in that direction, but only as a contribution to the independent efforts of the Orthodox Church.
The nationwide survey was conducted from May 19 to 25 in all regions of Ukraine, except for the non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Lugansk. 2019 respondents aged 18 and over were interviewed. The theoretical sampling error is 2.3%. The survey was funded by USAID and carried out by Pact.
In mid-April, Poroshenko turned to Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople with a request to grant Tomos on autocephaly to the Church in Ukraine and announced the creation of a Single Local Church. The Verkhovna Rada supported the petition of the President. The Kiev Patriarchate has already stated that they see their leader Filaret, anathematized by the canonical Church, as a SLC head.
Read also
Interview with His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas, First Hierarch of ROCOR
The Southern Clergy Retreat and the Growth of Orthodoxy in the South
Christian Orthodox Coalition Calls for Action Amid Syrian Crisis
March 19, 2025 – The Christian Orthodox Coalition in the United States has issued a powerful statement condemning the ongoing persecution of Orthodox Christians in war-torn Syria.
EP Hopes US Visit Will Boost Abp. Elpidophoros' Declining Influence
The National Herald reports that Patriarch Bartholomew will travel to America to seek new connections with Washington and support Archbishop Elpidophoros.
Metropolitan Joan of Korca elected as Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church
Albanian Orthodox Church Elevates Met. Joan (Pelushi) to Primate After Archbishop Anastasi’s Repose
The 17th Anniversary of the Repose of Met. Laurus (Shkurla), First Hierarch of the ROCOR
Parishes of the Eastern American Diocese (ROCOR) lifted up their prayers in remembrance of the much-loved Vladyka Laurus on the anniversary of his repose.
"The entire family has been massacred in Baniyas, Syria. They were Orthodox Christians. Humanity has failed!"
Social media is telling the stories Corporate Media will not, and people are taking notice.