Zelensky: Ukraine seeks 'spiritual independence,' acts against church

Ukraine's punitive actions against a branch of the Orthodox church linked to Russia are part of a drive to achieve "spiritual independence," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday. Zelensky and other Ukrainian leaders have accused the long-established Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), itself under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church, of undermining Ukrainian unity and collaborating with Moscow. "One more step towards strengthening our spiritual independence was taken this week." Volodymyr Zelensky"One more step towards strengthening our spiritual independence was taken this week," Zelensky said in his nightly video address, without referring directly to the order. The Ukrainian culture ministry says the Moscow-linked church has until March 29 to leave the Pechersk Lavra monastery complex.