Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday, the Orthodox Christmas Day, signed a decree suspending the citizenship of several Ukrainian Orthodox priests that have allegedly signaled their support for Moscow, Lb.ua reported, citing sources.
The decree was not made public as it contains personal information, but according to the media outlet, Zelensky suspended the citizenship of 13 clerics, who likely refused to leave the Moscow Patriarchate.
Russian state-owned RIA Novosti said the move is part of Kiev's "persecution" of the Orthodox Church, as the country's Security Service already opened criminal cases against the clergy as it seeks evidence of "anti-Ukrainian activities."
