---
title: "Without labels: a quarter of Ukrainians consider themselves simply Orthodox, not adherents of a specific church"
description: "A sociological study from 2026 showed: 26% of Ukrainians consider themselves simply Orthodox, without choosing a specific church. In the south, this figure is even higher — 34%. Meanwhile, the share of atheists among the youth has reached 30%. 📉🕯️"
date: 2026-06-17T10:58:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/without-labels-a-quarter-of-ukrainians-consider-themselves-simply-orthodox
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Without labels: a quarter of Ukrainians consider themselves simply Orthodox, not adherents of a specific church

![Women in headscarves lighting candles in an Orthodox church, illustrating faith without affiliation to a specific church](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/17/chetyertv-ukrainscev-schitayut-sebya-prosto-pravoslavnymi-bez-privyazki-k-tserkvi/chetyertv-ukrainscev-schitayut-sebya-prosto-pravoslavnymi-bez-privyazki-k-tserkvi-1.webp)

There is a noticeable shift in religious self-identification in Ukraine: more and more citizens are rejecting a rigid attachment to a specific denomination. According to data from a recent sociological study, a quarter of Ukrainians (26%) define themselves simply as "Orthodox," without choosing between the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) or the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC MP).

These data were presented by the head of the sociological group "Rating," Alexey Antipovich, during the presentation of the study "Assessment of the religious situation: Odesa region," reports RBC-Ukraine. The survey was conducted between May 4 and May 12, 2026.

### Geography of faith: The South and Odesa region

The trend of rejecting denominational labels is particularly evident in the southern regions of the country. While 26% of respondents across Ukraine chose the neutral formulation "simply Orthodox," in the south this figure reaches 34%. In the Odesa region, there are 32% of such people.

At the same time, the share of supporters of specific churches remains lower:

- 22% of citizens across the country name the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) as their own. In the south, this figure drops to 16%, and in the Odesa region, it is 17%.

- The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC MP) is supported by 10% of respondents across Ukraine. In the south and the Odesa region, this percentage is slightly higher — 11%.

A significant gap is also observed in support for the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC). If on average across the country 7% of citizens are its supporters, then in the south this figure is minimal — only 2%. Protestant denominations in the Odesa region are supported by 3% of residents.

### Rise of atheism among the youth

The study also recorded an increase in the share of people who do not profess any religion. Across Ukraine, 11% of respondents consider themselves non-believers and atheists. In the south, this figure rises to 14%, and in the Odesa region — to 16%.

The most radical changes are taking place in the youth environment. Among Ukrainians aged 18 to 29, the share of atheists reaches a record 30%. In addition, 16% of citizens across the country (and 15% in the Odesa region) consider themselves believers but do not identify with any specific denomination.

### Tradition versus choice

Sociologists analyzed the motives prompting Ukrainians to choose one denomination or another. The main factor for the majority remains family tradition and upbringing. This was answered by 46% of respondents across the country and 50% of residents of the Odesa region.

Conscious personal choice in adulthood became decisive for 37% of respondents both in the Odesa region and across Ukraine as a whole. Cultural and national identity motivates 28% of Ukrainians and 25% of residents of southern regions. At the same time, personal spiritual need as the main factor of choice was named by only 10% of residents of the Odesa region.

### Holidays and public opinion

Religious preferences directly affect the holiday calendar. More than half of Ukrainian citizens celebrate Christmas on December 25. Only 18% continue to celebrate on January 7, although every fifth Ukrainian celebrates both dates.

Issues of religious policy remain acute: more than half of Ukrainians support the idea of banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate.