Material produced as part of the “Thoughts Aloud” mini-project for the joint initiative of the Sophia Brotherhood and the German Renovabis Foundation, “Contemporary Ukrainian Orthodoxy: Debunking Myths for Reconciliation and the Consolidation of Ukrainian Society.” The Sophia Brotherhood does not necessarily endorse all authors’ positions; some views expressed by Brotherhood members may not represent the organization’s official stance.
Vladyslav Boyko, believer of the OCU, student
“Do I really need autocephaly if all I want is to pray?” This question seems as naïve as saying, “I go to church for God, not the priest,” “the main thing is to be a good person,” or “God is in my heart.” While autocephaly is a canonical term, it isn’t the heart of the matter. To answer the question, we must first understand: what is the Church to us?
Jesus clearly taught about prayer: “When you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is unseen.”
– Matthew 6:6.
There is no mention of temples, community, clergy, or rules—only personal communion with the Creator in spirit and truth. Personal prayer belongs to each of us; no canons can limit it. Christians pray to God anywhere: at home, in church, on the road, even in a mosque.
The Church is More Than a Place of Prayer. We – Christ’s faithful – are a chosen people. Prayer is not just an occasional act; we are called to live in prayer, fellowship, and acts of love. Membership in the Church is like marriage or adoption—it’s lifelong and not easily undone.
Every Christian will eventually seek a spiritual community, a local church. All churches confess the same Christ, chant the same Creed – but not every place feels like “home.” Many factors shape our experience, and national identity is one of them. That is why in Europe and the U.S., you find parishes of different autocephalous churches. Consider the Armenian Apostolic Church or the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in diaspora communities—especially when the homeland was occupied.
National character may not matter when we share Christ, but it cannot be dismissed. A Ukrainian church meets both spiritual and cultural needs—at home and abroad. Without it, believers may feel unwelcome and eventually assimilate into another national church. The national element has always been intertwined with the Church, since Church and nation are made up of the same people.
Why Every Nation Deserves Its Own Autocephalous Church. Not to divide, but to unite in a heartfelt and unified worship of the crucified and risen Christ.
In Ukraine’s case, independence in church structure also brings security and resiliency: the Church is often a target of propaganda or hybrid warfare. A local autocephalous hierarchy—speaking our language, living with our concerns—can better resist external influence.