Case study of subtle manipulation by OCU “hierarch” from Rivne
On the anniversary of the UOC Council in Feofania, one “metropolitan” of the OCU published an Appeal to the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Let us analyze it in detail through the lens of manipulative techniques.
On May 27, 2025 – the third anniversary of the historic UOC Council in Feofania – while the episcopate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church gathered in prayerful unity, “Metropolitan” Ilarion Protsyk of the OCU in Rivne and Ostroh released a so-called “Appeal to the faithful of the UOC in Rivne Region.” The message is a masterclass in manipulation, and what follows is a detailed breakdown of the techniques employed.
The appeal begins as follows: “Christ is Risen! In these days, when the Paschal joy still resounds and the Church glorifies the power of Life that has conquered death, I address you with love and pain, beloved brothers and sisters – those who, for various reasons, still remain under the jurisdiction of the Moscow Patriarchate.”
And here we immediately see the first manipulation – what in psychology is called “gaslighting.” This term comes from the 1938 play Gas Light, later adapted into the 1944 film Gaslight, in which a man manipulates his wife into questioning her own sanity. Gaslighting is a method by which systematic distortion of facts causes someone to doubt their memory, perception, or reasoning. It involves presenting falsehoods abundantly and categorically as if they are self-evident truths.
This is exactly what Protsyk does: he brazenly claims that UOC believers remain under Moscow’s jurisdiction – a lie so often repeated by hostile actors that it's parroted as obvious truth. But it’s only the beginning.
He further writes: “It’s been three years since the Council in Feofania declared the supposed ‘separation’ of the UOC from Moscow. But has this brought true freedom? Has it changed the spiritual essence? No. Instead of true independence – uncertainty. Instead of unity with the fullness of global Orthodoxy – canonical isolation. Instead of fraternal unity of Ukrainian Orthodoxy – new divisions. Instead of clear condemnation of Russia’s aggression – silent approval, cloaked in beautiful words.”
Here we are faced with a cascade of falsehoods.
First, the separation was not “supposed” – it was real. All references to canonical ties with the Russian Orthodox Church were removed from the UOC’s Charter. In the three years since, none of the critics of the UOC have produced a single concrete example of any interaction between the UOC and the ROC let alone collaboration.
Second, there is no “canonical isolation” of the UOC. All Local Churches, even the four of fifteen that have entered into communion with the OCU, still recognize the grace of the UOC clergy and bishops. Those Churches that have not recognized the OCU continue to acknowledge the UOC’s entire ecclesiastical structure, engage in joint services, visits, and other forms of communication.
Third, there are no “new divisions.” The schisms occurred long ago – in 1920, when a group of priests and laymen (not bishops) declared the UAOC; and in 1992, when the defrocked former Metropolitan Filaret Denysenko broke away. That these two schismatic groups merged in 2019 and named themselves “OCU” changes nothing.
Fourth, the UOC has clearly condemned Russian aggression – in numerous official documents, as well as in sermons and public statements by bishops and priests. The very first such condemnation was made by His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry just hours after the invasion began.
And this condemnation is not only in word, but in deed. The UOC has sent more medical supplies, vehicles, and protective gear to the front than any other religious organization in Ukraine. It blesses its faithful to serve in the Armed Forces, it assists the wounded, and buries the dead. Many bishops and clergy have relatives in the military – some have already given their lives for Ukraine.
But none of this matters to Mr. Protsyk, because his goal is not to reflect reality, but to use gaslighting to make his audience accept a lie as self-evident truth, beyond the need for proof.
He continues: “Today, when our land is at war, when defenders are dying, when mothers are burying sons, and priests are burying children, there can be no ‘half-truths’ or ‘half-freedoms.’ For to be 'half-free' means to still be enslaved. To be 'half-ours' means to still be a stranger.”
Here, in addition to gaslighting, two more manipulative techniques come into play: “playing the victim” and “guilt-tripping.”
Playing the victim involves presenting oneself or one’s group as a victim to elicit sympathy and to morally pressure others into action. Yes, Ukraine is at war, soldiers and civilians are dying – but are not the faithful of the UOC victims of this aggression just the same? Why should they be compelled to join the OCU because of the war?
This segues naturally into guilt-tripping – not just portraying oneself as a victim, but making the other party feel responsible. This is exactly what Protsyk does – and not only he, but also figures like OCU head Epifaniy Dumenko, DESS chairperson Viktor Yelensky, and others. They all seek to impose guilt on UOC believers, as though they must atone for the war by joining the OCU.
Both the head of the OCU, Serhii (Epifaniy) Dumenko, and the head of the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience, Viktor Yelensky, along with other religious and political figures, are doing everything they can to impose a sense of guilt on the faithful of the UOC, trying to force them to justify themselves for the Russian aggression.
Protsyk continues: “Dear in Christ! A true departure from Moscow is not cosmetic changes in the Charter. It is a deep, complete, canonical and spiritual disassociation from a religious system that blesses war, justifies violence, spreads the ideology of the ‘Russian world’ – an ideology being anti-Gospel and anti-Christian at its core.”
This is where the manipulation known as “devaluation” enters – diminishing the efforts or integrity of the target in order to pressure them into doing more. “Yes, you did this – but it’s not enough. To really be free, you must do this other thing…” No matter how much the UOC has distanced itself from Moscow, it’s never sufficient. The goalposts will always shift.
Having gaslighted, guilt-tripped, victimized, and devalued his audience, Protsyk offers the “solution”: “That is why today, as a brother and archpastor, I again call on you: unite with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine – the only canonical Church of the Ukrainian people, recognized by the Ecumenical Patriarch and other Local Churches. A Church that prays in the native tongue, stands beside soldiers and volunteers, and blesses truth – not tyranny.”
Dear 'brother' and 'archpastor'! But hasn't your community seized dozens of UOC churches in Rivne region, expelled UOC parishes that built them, and thrown UOC priests, their wives, and children out into the street?
And what about the “recognition”? Again, gaslighting is under way: a full set of false narratives. In reality, eleven of the fifteen Orthodox Churches have not recognized the OCU as canonical. The UOC, meanwhile, continues to be acknowledged and embraced across the Orthodox world. She also prays in the native Church Slavonic language, stands with Ukrainian soldiers, and blesses truth and mercy, not tyranny and violence.
Then Protsyk makes a curious Freudian slip that gives away the subconscious truth behind the OCU:
“The Orthodox Church of Ukraine is not a political project, as some claim. It is the fruit of a century-long struggle for spiritual freedom. It is the answer to millions of prayers, to shed blood, to the patience and sacrifice of our people. It is a Church that was born not in government offices, but in the underground of Soviet persecution, in Maidan tents, in trenches in the East, in hospitals and shelters – where God is always near the suffering.”
Precisely! The OCU was born “in the tents of Maidan, in the trenches”, sprang from nationalist upheaval and political struggle. In contrast, the true Church was born in the Upper Room of Zion, where the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles. And the true Church of Christ in Rus' was born in the baptismal waters of the Dnieper in 988. The UOC identifies with that Church. The OCU – by their own admission – arose in Maidan tents.
And finally, Mr. Protsyk attempts a spiritual manipulation of a different kind:
“Is it not this Church to which Christ is calling you today? Is this not the place for the shepherd who wants to be with his people, and not in the shadow of colonial legacy? I know it is difficult for you. I know the fear, the misunderstanding, the pressure. But listen to the voice of the Gospel: ‘He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me… and he who does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me’ (Matt. 10:37–38).”
This is no longer just psychological manipulation – it is theological manipulation. And the author of this technique is none other than the enemy of mankind. Quoting Scripture to twist hearts – just as the devil did when tempting Christ in the wilderness. Remember? The implication is clear: join the OCU, or you are not worthy of Christ.
Mr. Protsyk wants us to believe that joining the OCU is “bearing the cross” – but in fact, joining the OCU today is a way to avoid persecution. Those who cannot withstand the pressure and join the OCU often cite this as their reason – not conviction.
In reality, it is the UOC that is suffering – its clergy jailed, its churches seized, its faithful beaten. It is the UOC – persecuted, slandered, stigmatized – is the one carrying the cross. Those who betray it to avoid suffering are not embracing the Gospel, but abandoning it.
Take the case of Father Orest Drahynda of Bukovyna, who joined the OCU "to avoid bloodshed.". He said, “Seeing what is happening in our society, especially what is happening all too often between Orthodox Christians – beatings, bloodshed – and reflecting on it, understanding that all this is contrary to the Gospel of Christ, to His teaching, I made the decision to do what I did.” His motive? Safety, not truth. Therefore he joined the OCU to escape persecution.
But here is the Scripture that truly speaks to our situation today – from the Revelation to St. John: “To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty – yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer… Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:8–10).
We need not further dissect Mr. Protsyk’s message – the pattern is clear. And perhaps it wouldn’t be worth analyzing at all if the same narratives were not being echoed by others – Viktor Yelenskyi, Serhiy Dumenko, Sviatoslav Shevchuk. All deploy these manipulative tactics in different forms.
To guard your heart, remember these psychological weapons:
- Gaslighting – systemic distortion of truth to create confusion and doubt
- Playing the Victim – framing oneself or one’s group as a victim to elicit guilt, weaponizing pain to control others
- Guilt-Tripping – inducing shame to force compliance
- Devaluation – dismissing one’s efforts to demand more
- Scriptural Distortion – misusing the Word to mask falsehood
Don’t let them manipulate you. Read the Gospels. Read the Holy Fathers. Compare their teachings to the words and actions of these “leaders.” And you will not be deceived.
