Influence of the moscow patriarchate on the National Identity in the Context of the russian War against Ukraine

Abstract

The factors of ethnicity and religion are the foundation of the national identity as seen across the peoples of our planet. Amid the russian war against Ukraine, the factors behind the formation and reinforcement of national identity have gained particular importance. Among those, religion occupies a distinct role; hence, in the modern age of cutting-edge scientific and technological advances of humanity, religion continues to have a colossal impact on virtually every facet of the functioning of society. Therefore, national identity also constitutes a potent driving force behind all social processes: politics, economy, culture, and, ultimately, warfare. That is why the national identity of the Ukrainian people as a whole and every individual Ukrainian is so vital and valuable. Ukraine faces an extraordinary threat emanating from religious organisations with headquarters in the territory of the aggressor state, russia. It is especially true in the case of the moscow patriarchate (MP), functioning in Ukraine under the designation of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). Meanwhile, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) was one of the first to appeal to the international community and world religious leaders to help stop russian armed aggression. The OCU also disseminates truthful information about Ukraine, primarily abroad, through the channels of church diplomacy. Strengthening the identity of the Ukrainian nation and elimination of the imperial religious and ideological influence of the MP and russian eurasianism should be one of the priorities of the state security policy of Ukraine. Keywords: Ukraine, russian aggression, OCU, tomos, UOC.