Ukraine is a religiously diverse country located in Eastern Europe. Throughout its complex history, Ukraine has been influenced by various religious traditions including Orthodox Christianity, Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, and Judaism. According to recent surveys, the top 3 religions in Ukraine today are:
Orthodox Christianity
Orthodox Christianity is the dominant religion in Ukraine, accounting for around 70% of the total population. Most Ukrainian Orthodox Christians belong to one of the three major Orthodox churches in Ukraine:
- Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate
- Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate
- Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church
Orthodox Christianity first arrived in the territory of modern-day Ukraine in the 10th century, when the Kievan Rus’ rulers Vladimir the Great and Olga adopted this faith. Since then, Orthodox Christianity has played a major role in shaping Ukrainian culture, identity and architecture. Many famous Ukrainian architectural monuments such as the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery and St. Sophia’s Cathedral belong to the Orthodox tradition.
Greek Catholicism
Greek Catholicism, also known as Ukrainian Greek Catholicism, is the second largest religion in Ukraine. About 15% of Ukrainians identify as Greek Catholics. This Eastern Rite Catholic church follows Orthodox rituals and spirituality, while still recognizing the authority of the Pope in Rome. The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, based in Kyiv.
Greek Catholicism emerged in 1596 with the Union of Brest, when parts of the Orthodox church in Ukraine and Belarus established full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church preserved the Eastern Orthodox liturgy and retained the Old Church Slavonic language in worship. Throughout history, Greek Catholics faced persecution under Tsarist Russia and later under Soviet rule.
Protestantism
Various Protestant denominations account for around 2.2% of the population of Ukraine. These include Baptists, Pentecostals, Calvinists, Lutherans, Methodists and others. Most Ukrainian Protestants belong to Evangelical denominations that were introduced during the 19th century by missionaries from Germany, Switzerland and other Western countries.
One of the largest Protestant groups in Ukraine is the All-Ukrainian Union of Associations of Evangelical Christian Baptists. Other major Protestant organizations include the Ukrainian Evangelical Church, the German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine and the Presbyterian Church of Ukraine.
While small in numbers compared to Orthodox Christianity and Greek Catholicism, Protestant churches played an important role in the national awakening of Ukraine and in the development of the Ukrainian language. Many Protestant groups publish religious literature and Bibles translated into Ukrainian.
Other Religions in Ukraine
Aside from the top 3, other religious faiths with a notable presence in Ukraine include:
- Roman Catholicism – around 1% of the population, mainly found in western Ukraine.
- Islam – adopted by Crimean Tatars (about 1% of Ukrainians).
- Judaism – historically Ukraine had a large Jewish population, today around 0.2% of Ukrainians are Jewish.
Smaller religious groups in Ukraine also include Pagans, Hindus, Buddhists, and others. About 16% of the population are unaffiliated with any religion or consider themselves non-religious.
Religious Adherence in Ukraine by Percentage
| Religion | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Orthodox Christianity | 70% |
| Greek Catholicism | 15% |
| Protestantism | 2.2% |
| Other Religions | 1.8% |
| Unaffiliated | 16% |
Conclusion
Orthodox Christianity, Greek Catholicism, and Protestantism emerge as the top 3 religions in Ukraine today. Together they account for around 87% of the total population. While Orthodox Christianity has historically dominated, Ukraine has a rich religious diversity with minority faiths adding to its cultural fabric. Religious adherence has fluctuated over the centuries due to changing borders and regimes. Current surveys reveal visible divides based on geography, politics and ethnic identity.