Regarding the Ministry of the Western European Vicariate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church
This document was adopted by the clergy of the Western European Vicariate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church at a meeting held in the city of Bari (Italy) on 6 February 2026, with the aim of affirming the position regarding the pastoral ministry of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) abroad. This was reported by the Information and Educational Department of the UOC, referring to the press service of the Department for External Church Relations.
With the beginning of Russia’s full-scale military aggression, a large number of Ukrainian citizens were forced to leave the country and move abroad. Among them are many faithful members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. In this regard, on 27 May 2022, the Council of the UOC decided to establish an overseas mission of the UOC, since: “The Ukrainian Orthodox Church cannot leave its faithful without spiritual care; it must remain close to them during their trials and organize church communities in the diaspora. It is necessary to continue developing the mission abroad among Orthodox Ukrainians in order to preserve their faith, culture, language and Orthodox identity.” (Resolution of the Council, point 8)
The overseas parishes are under the authority of the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy of Kyiv and All Ukraine. Structurally, all overseas parishes are united within the Western European Vicariate. The clergy appointed to serve in overseas parishes are citizens of Ukraine, and the founders of these parishes are also citizens of Ukraine. Divine services are conducted in Church Slavonic and Ukrainian, and, when necessary, in the language of the country of residence. The maintenance of the parishes is carried out through the contributions of the faithful. A significant number of our clergy abroad combine pastoral ministry with secular employment.
It should be noted that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) does not establish its own parishes in the following countries: Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Greece, Georgia, Serbia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, North Macedonia, and Cyprus, since the territories of these countries belong to the jurisdiction of other Local Orthodox Churches. At the same time, in all other European countries, the UOC may establish its own parishes. Parishes are established at the request of the faithful.
The ecclesiastical reality of recent years demonstrates that the Local Orthodox Churches have responded positively to these new pastoral challenges from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, with understanding, compassion, and support. Representatives of other Local Orthodox Churches in the diaspora assist the clergy of the UOC, concelebrate with them, invite them to joint events, and participate in our liturgical and cultural activities.
In some informational materials directed against the mission of the UOC abroad, there is manipulation and an artificial identification of the activities of UOC parishes with those of Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) parishes abroad. This does not correspond to reality, because the UOC acts independently and separately, without dependence on any religious centers. The activity of the Western European Vicariate consists in providing spiritual care to citizens of Ukraine and does not pose any threat to the countries where its communities are located.
We also emphasize that we mainly conduct services in church buildings belonging to other Christian denominations, as well as in other suitable premises. We are grateful to Christians of other denominations for this assistance. These church premises are provided to us by representatives of other denominations in some cities on a paid basis and in others free of charge. Payment for the rental of church premises (where applicable) is made exclusively by the religious communities themselves. No parish belonging to the Western European Vicariate of the UOC conducts services in churches of the Russian Orthodox Church.
It is important to note that the places where our Ukrainian Orthodox communities celebrate divine services are not located near critical or military facilities in the countries of residence. Moreover, we do not have the possibility to independently choose the places where we serve. We conduct services in the premises provided to us by the above-mentioned Christian denominations, which themselves decide which church buildings, and in which locations, they are willing and able to make available.
It is evident that if our Church had not established its own Ukrainian parishes abroad, and later the Vicariate, our clergy and faithful abroad would still be forced to remain within the structures of other Churches and jurisdictions. This would not contribute to preserving their Ukrainian Orthodox identity, language, and culture, as emphasized in the reasoning behind the decision of the Local Council of the UOC of 27 May 2022 concerning the diaspora. Ukrainians within other structures that are foreign to them in terms of language and culture would inevitably face assimilation. Therefore, the decision taken by our Church at the beginning of the war is aimed at caring for Ukrainians abroad in the long term. This decision serves the benefit and interests of our state and our people.
Our overseas parishes have developed good relations with representatives of state authorities and various religious communities in the countries where they serve. Testimonials from foreign representatives regarding this can be found through the provided link.
No Russian narratives are spread within our communities, as is sometimes falsely claimed in the information space. We are Ukrainians, and our faithful are Ukrainians who have suffered because of the war and were forced to leave their homes as a result of Russia’s attack on Ukraine.This means that, by definition, a person cannot defend or praise that which has caused them suffering.
The parishes of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church abroad primarily provide pastoral care to Ukrainian citizens, maintain a connection with Ukraine, support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, collect funds for fellow citizens affected by the war in Ukraine, organize spiritual, educational, and cultural events, promote Ukrainian culture, and create centers of Ukrainian community life. Through these efforts, they work for the benefit of Ukraine and the Church of Christ.