Lviv region has become the first in Ukraine to have no remaining religious communities of the Moscow Patriarchate.

The Lviv region has achieved a significant milestone in Ukraine regarding religious independence and national security for the first time. There are no longer any registered religious communities of the Moscow Patriarchate here. This result stems from a series of decisive actions, particularly the joining of religious communities to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the voluntary cessation of activities by others. This was reported by the head of the regional administration, Maksym Kozytskyi.

Before the onset of Russia's aggression against Ukraine in 2014, Lviv Oblast had 66 religious communities of the Moscow Patriarchate. However, over the years of war, specifically as of February 24, 2022, their number decreased to 54. Since then, with the beginning of the full-scale invasion, 27 communities have transitioned under the jurisdiction of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, and another 27 voluntarily ceased their activities.

These changes vividly illustrate the inevitability of purging the religious space of the influence of the structure that supports the aggressor. As local representatives note, the fate of these communities "once again proves the futility of manipulation and deception." "There are only two paths - truth or falsehood. And truth will surely prevail!" - states the appeal from local spiritual leaders.

There is currently significant support for the transition of religious communities to the Ukrainian Church in other regions of the country. It is noted that this is an important step in implementing the law of Ukraine "On the Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Activities of Religious Organizations," which promotes national security and supports the unity of the Ukrainian people.

"I sincerely hope that the religious communities of the Moscow Patriarchate in other regions of our state will not wait for the implementation of the norms of the Law of Ukraine, but will finally sever ties with the structure of the bloody Moscow priests," emphasized Kozytskyi.

Let us remind you that British intelligence revealed the purpose of using the Russian "Oreshnik" missile against Ukraine. Russia conducted tests of the experimental "Oreshnik" missile to send a strategic signal following Western support for Ukraine's long-range strikes.