MOSCOW — Ukraine took a major step on Dec. 15 toward establishing its own, autonomous Orthodox Church, setting the stage for increased tensions with Russia by altering a centuries-old religious tradition under which the Kyiv church answered to Moscow.
New York Times: Amid Russia tensions, Ukraine moves toward separate church
President Petro Poroshenko (L) sitting during the historic synod expected to establish an Orthodox church independent from Russia in Kyiv's Saint Sophia Cathedral on Dec. 15, 2018.