Former Kharkiv Mayor Mykhailo Dobkin Ordained as Deacon in Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate), Sparking Online Debate

Mykhailo Dobkin Ordained as a Deacon

According to Главком: Mykhailo Dobkin, the former mayor of Kharkiv and an ex-member of Ukraine's parliament, has been ordained as a deacon in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP). His leading of a service at the Annunciation Cathedral in Kharkiv in April of this year prompted a significant reaction online. It is notable that the Holy Annunciation Cathedral in Kharkiv was under the care of the local UOC-MP diocese until the start of the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022.

Dobkin completed his studies at the Kharkiv Theological Seminary of the UOC-MP in 2022. His ordination to the diaconate was performed by Metropolitan Onufriy of Kharkiv and Bohodukhiv. Dobkin previously served as head of the Kharkiv Regional State Administration from 2006 to 2010.

Online Reactions to the New Role

Reactions on social media to his new status were mixed. One user remarked:

“Of course it’s the Moscow Patriarchate. Where else would he be?”

Another commentator noted: “What if he truly found faith in God? Why mock him immediately?” Positive feedback was also present, with one user writing simply: “Well done!”

The discussion extended beyond Dobkin to include other public figures. For instance, former Ukrainian boxer Vasiliy Lomachenko also participated in an Easter service of the Moscow-affiliated church. Lomachenko, who retired in the summer of 2025, assisted a priest in conducting the holiday service in Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi. He is a two-time Olympic champion.

Thus, Dobkin's decision to become a deacon and his church activities have become a topic of public discussion, generating diverse opinions and commentary in the media. This move highlights the complex intersection of religious institutions and political history in Ukraine. Given the UOC-MP's historical ties to the Russian Orthodox Church, reactions to his ordination reflect broader societal sentiments regarding religious identity during wartime, a deeply sensitive issue for many Ukrainians.