The Russian Orthodox Church and its hybrid war against Ukraine

The Russian Orthodox Church and its hybrid war against Ukraine

Author: Mark McNamee July 17, 2025 Duration: 35:08
Did you know the head of the Russian Orthodox Church is a former KGB agent and multimillionaire who made his money in smuggling? Or that its priests routinely bless the missiles, drones, and weapons used against innocent Ukrainian civilians everyday? Even other Orthodox Church leaders, not to mention Pope Francis and Pope Leo, have condemned the Russian Orthodox Church's actions.  Hear how Russia has used the church as yet another tool of its imperialistic aggression.  Rostyslav Pavlenko is a Ukrainian politician, member of Ukrainian parliament, scientist and public figure. In 2015-2019, he was the coordinator of state efforts to assist the Ukrainian Orthodox in unification, recognition and obtaining Tomos (certificate) of Autocephaly (church independence). Successfully led negotiations with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, Primates and clergy of the Autocephalous Orthodox Churches, and Ukrainian church notables. Upon successful obtaining of the Tomos of Autocephaly, was decorated by the President Petro Poroshenko with the Order of Liberty. Listen in from the man who helped Ukraine achieve its independence from the Russian Orthodox Church and make it its own Orthodox Church as recognized by Constantinople.  To learn more, visit: https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters: https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

We are living through events that will define our century, and History in the Making: The War in Ukraine is an attempt to make sense of them as they unfold. Host Mark McNamee brings his deep knowledge of Eastern Europe to the fore, not just to recount headlines, but to untangle the complex historical, cultural, and political threads that led to this moment. This isn't a dry recitation of facts; it's a grounded exploration of how a conflict reshapes a nation's identity and the global order. Each episode moves between the sweeping strategic picture and the intimate, human stories of those living through the war, highlighting a profound resilience. You'll hear analysis that connects past empires to present-day battles, and conversations that reveal the personal cost and extraordinary fortitude within Ukraine. The goal of this podcast is to provide context and clarity, offering a nuanced perspective that goes beyond the news cycle. By focusing on the people, the history, and the on-the-ground reality, Mark creates a vital record of a world changing in real time. Tune in for a thoughtful, comprehensive guide to understanding not just what is happening, but why it matters for all of us.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 79

History in the Making: The War in Ukraine
Podcast Episodes
Children and the War [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:33
The psychological damage to children has been one of the most underreported stories of this horrific war here in Ukraine. How are children coping, especially those who have lost parents and other family members? In this…
US Elections and Ukraine: what will happen and why we should care [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:06
Who's going to win the US elections, and what will the impact be on Ukraine? Could we be moving towards peace in 2025? And ultimately why do we in the West need to even care about supporting Ukraine? To answer these ques…
An Enemy of the State in Russia, But a Real Patriot in Ukraine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:39
Today I spoke with Roman Sulzhyk, a real Ukrainian patriot who has embraced his life's mission and decided to come back home to Ukraine to help rebuild his country. Roman has been a part of Ukraine's independence movemen…