The Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) has expressed concern over the planned presentation of the “Beacon of Hope” award to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in New York, as well as over the situation facing Orthodox Christians in Ukraine.

The Synod met online on September 15 under the chairmanship of Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, the First Hierarch of ROCOR. Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe, who serves as secretary for inter-Orthodox relations, presented a report on recent developments in the Orthodox world. The details were published in the Synod’s official communiqué.

The bishops specifically discussed the upcoming “Beacon of Hope Dinner,” scheduled to take place in New York on September 26. The event is being organized by the community of St. Nicholas Church, which belongs to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Zelensky has been announced as a recipient of the award, which organizers associate with leadership and support for Ukraine.

According to ROCOR’s communiqué, the planned award has caused “unease” among some Orthodox Christians in the United States. The Synod called on its faithful to intensify prayers for the strengthening of Orthodox faith and for those whom it described as facing persecution. 

A major issue raised by the bishops was the situation of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). ROCOR characterized measures taken by Ukrainian authorities against the UOC and its faithful as persecution.

The UOC has faced legal and administrative pressure in recent years, including disputes over church property and the status of religious communities. The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission has also documented cases involving religious organizations in Ukraine. In a 2025 report, the UN said new Ukrainian legislation concerning religious organizations with alleged links to Russian religious structures imposed restrictions on freedom of religion and called for the legislation to be brought into line with international human rights law. 

Ukraine adopted legislation in August 2024 providing for restrictions on religious organizations deemed to have prohibited affiliations with foreign religious centers in countries designated by Ukrainian authorities as “aggressor states.” The UN has subsequently reported that Ukrainian authorities determined that the UOC had such a prohibited affiliation with the Russian Orthodox Church and filed a court case seeking its dissolution. As of the UN’s February 2026 assessment, that case remained under consideration.