Mykola Knyazhytskyi: Russian Church in Ukraine should be banned. The relevant draft law has been registered in Verhovna Rada

A draft law has been registered in the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, which, according to Deputy and author of the law-making document Mykola Knyazhytskyi, "will put an end to the Russian Orthodox Church in our state."

"Draft Law No. 8221 "On Ensuring the Strengthening of National Security in the Field of Freedom of Conscience and Activities of Religious Organizations" should completely prohibit the activities of the RPC and its structures on the territory of Ukraine. The RPC's activities are not religious, but political in nature. The leadership and clergy of the RPC are used for anti-Ukrainian activities, approve Russia's military aggression against our country, and bless Russian soldiers who bring death to the peaceful population of Ukraine," he believes.

Also, Mykola Knyazhytskyi says, according to the Tomos, there is a single autocephalous Orthodox Church in Ukraine and according to the decision of the Unification Council on December 15, 2018, it was named the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Orthodox Church of Ukraine).

"Therefore, in order to avoid manipulations and mislead Ukrainian believers, the draft law enshrines the rule: only those religious organizations that are subordinate to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine can use the word "Orthodox" in their name," the people's deputy believes.

He adds that the lawmakers do not deny the right to freedom of religion.

"Everyone can believe what and how they want, or not believe in anything. But any organizations must respect the state's right to obey laws and respect law and order. I hope that the draft law will find support in the hall. This is not a theological discussion," the parliamentarian summarized.

According to information from the author of the draft law, Mykola Knyazhytskyi, the document provides for the following provisions:

• The Russian Orthodox Church, religious organizations (associations), which directly or as constituent parts of another religious organization (association) are part of the structure (are part of) the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as religious centers (management), which are part of or recognize (declare) in any form subordination in canonical, organizational, and other matters to the Russian Orthodox Church are prohibited from operating on the territory of Ukraine

• it is assumed that all transactions related to the use of property (rent, hiring, leasing, etc.), the validity period of which has not expired, concluded between residents of Ukraine and the corresponding prohibited foreign religious organization, as well as with legal entities, the owner, participant, shareholder of which are terminated prematurely;

• the peculiarities of the naming of religious organizations are established, in particular, the possibility of a religious organization using the word "Orthodox" or "Orthodox" in its name (both full and abbreviated) in the name in the appropriate cases only if this religious organization is subordinate in canonical and organizational matters  Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

On the morning of November 22, the Security Service of Ukraine conducted counter-intelligence measures on the territory of the Holy Dormition Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra in Kyiv, as well as on the territory of the Koretsky Holy Trinity Monastery and the premises of the UOC Sarnensky-Polisska Eparchy. The Security Service of Ukraine, together with the police and national guardsmen, checked more than 350 church buildings and 850 people during counter-intelligence measures in the premises of the UOC MP.