“Simply orthodox?”
Ukraine: the believers and society
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
The relationship between the three orthodox churches in Ukraine has to date been characterised by a curious mixture of rivalry and tolerance, polemics and dialogue. For many believers, it was not important which church they belonged to. They described themselves as being “simply orthodox”. This is now a thing of the past. The dispute between the patriarchates of Moscow and Constantinople over an autocephalous Ukrainian Orthodox Church is having a polarising impact and is forcing bishops, priests, parishes and believers to choose one single position. The potential for conflict is considerable, although an escalation is not unavoidable. As long as religious freedom is guaranteed in Ukraine, the freedom to decide and the coexistence of two orthodox churches remains a possibility.
(Osteuropa 8-9/2018, pp. 119–138)