Metropolitan Onufriy (Berezovsky)
Metropolitan of Kyiv and All Ukraine Onufriy
(secular name: Orest Berezovsky)
Date of birth: 05.11.1944
On August 13, 2014, he was elected and proclaimed Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
On July 2, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed an unlawful decree stripping Metropolitan Onufriy of his citizenship.
The SBU stated that in 2002, the UOC Primate allegedly obtained Russian Federation citizenship and did not notify Ukrainian authorities of this fact.
The SBU also claimed that, "according to available information," Metropolitan Onufriy "maintains contact with the Moscow Patriarchate and deliberately obstructed the acquisition of canonical independence of the Ukrainian church from the Moscow Patriarchate."
The agency employed hate rhetoric and insults directed at the Metropolitan.
"Based on SBU materials, the Ukrainian citizenship of Orest Berezovsky, better known as UOC (MP) figure Onufriy, has been revoked. The corresponding decree was signed by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.
The SBU established that Berezovsky (Onufriy) voluntarily obtained Russian citizenship in 2002. He did not report this to the authorized bodies of Ukrainian state power. At the same time, he continued to make use of his status as a citizen of our state.
According to information available to the Security Service of Ukraine, Berezovsky (Onufriy) maintains contact with the Moscow Patriarchate and deliberately obstructed the acquisition of canonical independence of the Ukrainian church from the Moscow Patriarchate, whose representatives openly support Russian aggression against Ukraine. Despite the full-scale invasion, Berezovsky (Onufriy) effectively continues to support the policies of the ROC and its leadership, in particular, Patriarch Kirill (Gundyaev).
Let us recall that it was Gundyaev who blessed the armed aggression of Russian forces and conducts propaganda policies justifying and inciting the genocide of the Ukrainian people. At the same time, by supporting Russia's aggressive policies, he facilitates the criminal activities of the political leadership of the aggressor state.
The Security Service of Ukraine continues the necessary actions to protect the Ukrainian state and society from any aggressive manifestations of Russia." — the SBU press service wrote.
On November 10, 2025, the SBU press service stated that the unlawful suspension of Metropolitan Onufriy's citizenship was initiated by their agency.
The SBU cited "their own information" alleging that the hierarch is "in contact with the Moscow Patriarchate" and accused him of "obstructing the acquisition of canonical independence of the Ukrainian church from the Moscow Patriarchate."
"In particular, at the initiative of the Security Service, the Ukrainian citizenship of Orest Berezovsky, better known as UOC (MP) head Onufriy, was revoked.
According to information available to the Security Service of Ukraine, Berezovsky (Onufriy) is in contact with the Moscow Patriarchate and deliberately obstructed the acquisition of canonical independence of the Ukrainian church from the Moscow Patriarchate, whose representatives openly advocate for Russian aggression against Ukraine. Despite the full-scale invasion, Berezovsky (Onufriy) effectively continues to support the policies of the ROC and its leadership, in particular, Patriarch Kirill (Volodymyr Gundyaev)."
On May 21, 2025, large-scale provocations took place in the city of Khmelnytskyi ahead of Metropolitan Onufriy's arrival for celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of the founding of the UOC Khmelnytskyi Diocese.
His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy had planned to consecrate St. Nicholas Cathedral in the city on the feast of the Translation of the Relics of St. Nicholas. The Primate's visit had to be cancelled due to large-scale provocations organized by a group of activists and local government representatives.
On May 20, 2025, local deputy Oleksandr Chornievych engaged in public incitement to hatred and called on residents of Khmelnytskyi to undertake unlawful actions.
"It is no secret that agents of russia in Ukraine — the uoc(mp)-roc — are planning to hold a sabbath in Khmelnytskyi, and this spectacle will be headed by actual member of the synod of the russian orthodox church Onufriy Berezovsky! So, on 21.05.2025, conscious residents of the city of Khmelnytskyi are gathering at 15:00 at the address: Svobody St., 2b, near St. Nicholas Cathedral, to express their civic stance! Resistance to everything russian must be total and constant!"
At 15:00 on the same day, two professional provocateurs, Yevhen Karas and Khmelnytskyi Regional Council deputy Viktor Burlyk, issued a similar call. They published a video in which they used offensive language to urge residents to blockade St. Nicholas Cathedral and disrupt the service.
On May 21, 2025, representatives of municipal services drove garbage trucks and sewage tankers onto the grounds of the UOC St. Nicholas Cathedral and blocked the entrance to the church premises.
A city council session was held at which deputies discussed how to counter the UOC Primate's visit. Deputy Anastasia Yarova spoke at the session and made a series of defamatory statements against the UOC, unsupported by any facts.
"It is no secret that many representatives of this church have been implicated in subversive activities — they hid Russian soldiers in their churches. We found illegal literature in churches that were transferred in our city of Khmelnytskyi. This church incites enmity between denominations and facilitates illegal agitation against Ukraine," the deputy stated.
As a result, the deputies adopted an appeal to the SBU and the National Police in connection with Metropolitan Onufriy's visit. The security forces were demanded to "conduct a thorough and comprehensive review of the facts set forth, which we have heard and will hear."
Several dozen activists gathered near the cathedral, attacking parishioners and accusing them "of working for the Russian world."
An unidentified individual brought pig's blood onto the cathedral grounds and began dousing the gates, on which a cross is depicted.
КУ ст. 35 (свобода вероисповедания) · ЕСПЧ ст. 9 · Нормы ООН