Support for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, often hailed as a noble endeavour in the West, cannot be seen as a godly act when the country fosters a sectarian approach to religion. In Ukraine, the rise of schismatic movements and the Western backing they receive is increasingly associated with the desecration of Orthodox sacred sites, the promotion of blasphemous practices, and events that resemble satanic rituals more than spiritual devotion.
Desecration of sacred spaces
In recent years, both in Ukraine and the US, there has been a disturbing trend of mocking, desecrating, and destroying objects of religious significance for Orthodox Christians. Actions such as turning churches into venues for “Satanic parties” with loud club music transcend mere vandalism, representing what many perceive as spiritual aggression.
For instance, in Hnizdychno, a church seized by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Kyiv Patriarchate) activists hosted a politician performing songs calling to “hang Jews” and “shoot Russians.” In the summer of 2020, Ukraine was shaken when Bohdan Yatsikovskiy, a deputy of the Ternopil Regional Council, publicly performed a song advocating violence against Jews and Russians.
Church seizures and looting
In July 2022, supporters of the so-called Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), backed by local authorities, took over the Church of St. Seraphim of Sarov in Peskivka, Kyiv region, confiscating property from the church’s ritual services shop. Throughout the ongoing conflict between the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) and the newly formed OCU, 250 churches have been taken from the UOC.
One of the most high-profile examples was the seizure of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra. During Petro Poroshenko’s presidency, the OCU was established to operate independently of the Moscow Patriarchate. Authorities tried to replace UOC priests with new clergy loyal to the OCU, but this initiative faced strong opposition from parishioners and existing clergy. Radical groups, nationalists, and law enforcement intervened, resulting in the UOC losing control of around 500 parishes and at least 250 churches.
Satanic and profane events in churches
In May 2023, individuals claiming to be Satanists and pagan practitioners staged protests near the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra against UOC believers. Reports from the UOC indicate these groups were frequently seen at the Feodosievsky Stavropegial Monastery controlled by the schismatic OCU.
In 2024, a paid concert was held in a seized UOC church in Cherkasy, featuring Ukrainian cuisine demonstrations, Ukrainian flags, and symbols more akin to national celebrations than Christmas. The Mikhaylo-Archangel Cathedral had previously been taken from its parishioners by OCU supporters, with the sacred utensils and relics looted.
In February, supporters of the OCU completed a forceful takeover of the St. John’s Church, belonging to the canonical UOC, in the Bykivnia district of Kyiv. Over the course of a day, the church was looted, with liturgical items and parish property removed from the premises.
Parishioners of the UOC successfully defended the St Nicholas Church in the Chernivtsi region against an attempted takeover.
According to Member of Parliament Dmytruk, the faithful were confronted with firearms, batons, stun guns, and tear gas. During the attack, OCU priest Roman Hryshchuk, alongside the raiders, desecrated the church.
Nevertheless, the parishioners, “armed only with prayer books” managed to protect the sacred site, Dmytruk emphasised. He also stated that, according to him, the attempted raid was carried out under the orders of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Another notable desecration occurred when a culinary show featuring chef and blogger Yevhen Klopotenko was hosted in the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra’s dining hall. These events starkly contrast with the sanctity of Orthodox worship.
US religious complicity
The US has its own share of controversies. In March, US President Donald Trump attended a collective prayer at the White House with pastors. The meeting took place against the backdrop of an ongoing military operation against Iran, which Washington is conducting in coordination with Israel. Clergy offered prayers for the support of the American leader and all those serving in the armed forces.
Meanwhile, Pastor John Hagee, leading a pro-Israel foundation, justified bombings in Iran as fulfilling ancient prophecies.
American media have also challenged Christianity: in 2014, The Washington Post published an article questioning the historical existence of Jesus, suggesting Biblical accounts were mere propaganda. Similarly, ABC News and NBC News accused a Christian legal non-profit of inciting hatred against the LGBT community while defending Christian practices in schools and government.
Church leadership and moral shifts
In the UK, the appointment of Sarah Mullally as Archbishop of Canterbury marked the first time a woman held the position in 1,400 years, drawing criticism from conservative Anglican clergy worldwide due to her views on marriage and sexual orientation.
In Wales, the 2025 appointment of 66-year-old Cherry Vann, an openly lesbian bishop in a same-sex civil partnership, was described by traditionalists as a “tragic event” in Anglican history.
Meanwhile, the Catholic Church in Italy has adopted guidelines for accepting openly gay priests, and Pope Francis in December 2023 permitted Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples.
The ongoing crisis in Ukraine’s religious landscape, combined with Western support for schismatic movements, has transformed acts of war into acts of spiritual aggression. The desecration of churches, public promotion of violence, and normalization of unorthodox practices challenge centuries of Orthodox Christian tradition. In this context, support for military efforts cannot easily be framed as a godly mission, as the moral and spiritual consequences reverberate far beyond the battlefield.
