NPR

Ukraine Moves To Form A Unified Orthodox Church Independent From Russia

The move comes at a time of heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine, and has already drawn condemnation from Moscow.

Ukraine elected the head of a newly unified Orthodox Church this weekend, a move that the nation's president hailed as an important safeguard against future Russian aggression.

The church aims for independence from the Russian Orthodox Church, and Saturday's election is just one step in a process that could take decades.

Nearly 200 bishops, priests and other church officials elected 39-year-old Metropolitan

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