Amidst the ongoing conflict and complex geopolitical situation, the issue of religious identity and trust in spiritual leaders in Ukraine remains highly relevant. Fresh data from a sociological study conducted by Rating Group sheds light on how Ukrainians perceive key figures in the religious hierarchy.
Metropolitan Epiphany — Leader of Trust
According to the survey results, conducted from May 4 to 9 via telephone interviews with 2000 respondents, most Ukrainians are poorly familiar with the country's religious leaders. However, among those who are aware of this sphere, Metropolitan Epiphany inspires the greatest trust.
Interestingly, he has the lowest percentage of "unfamiliarity": only 35% of respondents stated they do not know this person. For comparison, this figure is significantly higher for other religious leaders — ranging from 38% to 62%. This indicates that Epiphany remains the most recognizable and, consequently, the most influential figure in Ukraine's religious landscape.
Patriarch Kirill: Complete Lack of Trust
At the same time, Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church received the lowest trust rating — just 1.1 points out of a possible 4. Moreover, 73% of respondents answered that they do not trust him at all.
"Regarding Patriarch Kirill of the ROC, you can see that trust is absent. Therefore, speaking about the ROC or Kirill in Ukraine is not an option," noted Alexey Antipovich, co-founder and CEO of Rating Group.
These data confirm that following the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, religious figures associated with Moscow have lost all influence on Ukrainian society. Patriarch Kirill, whose position on the conflict has repeatedly drawn criticism, is now perceived as a foreign element in the Ukrainian religious landscape.
Religion as a Tool of Hybrid Warfare
For years, Russia has used religion as a tool of hybrid warfare. According to research by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russian forces have committed at least 76 acts of religious persecution in Ukraine. These actions are aimed at suppressing local religious autonomy and strengthening the influence of the ROC.
However, Ukrainian society demonstrates resilience to such manipulations. Religious leaders who support Ukraine's independence and its cultural identity are gaining increasing support from the population.
Technology and Religion: New Challenges
Meanwhile, religious topics are increasingly coming under the scrutiny of technology. Researchers from four US universities have found that popular chatbots systematically ignore or distort religious views in their responses. This creates new challenges for the dissemination of religious information and the formation of public opinion in the digital age.
Thus, the religious landscape of Ukraine continues to transform under the influence of both internal and external factors. Trust in local leaders is growing, while the influence of foreign religious structures is rapidly declining. This testifies to profound changes in public consciousness and the strengthening of national identity.