Lawmakers in two regions of western Ukraine have banned the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC) and all its activities, according to RT.
The UOC is part of the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, which has about 150 million followers globally, signifying the largest Orthodox Church in the world.
The parliament in Rovno Region was the first to impose the ban in a unanimous vote, followed by the neighboring Volyn Region.
The lawmakers called for the prohibition of the UOC in the entire country, urging Ukraine’s parliament to adopt the law immediately.
The decision also revoked the UOC’s registration and lease agreements in the regions.
However, the move is being described as “currently illegal” by Ukrainian lawyer Vasily Samoliuk.
The UOC has been accused of posing a security threat by Ukrainian officials due to its historical ties with the Russian Orthodox Church, RT notes.
The Security Service of Ukraine has also conducted raids on UOC churches in search of weapon stockpiles and evidence of treason.
The Ukrainian authorities have been demolishing UOC properties and transferring them to the Kiev-backed Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), which is only recognized by four Orthodox Churches.
