Peace & Power Ukraine

Faith, Freedom, and the Russian World: Cyril Hovorun on Ukraine’s Spiritual Frontline

Episode Summary

In this episode of Peace and Power Ukraine, Gary Marx sits down in Kyiv with Orthodox theologian and global religious affairs expert Cyril Hovorun to unpack the deep religious dimensions of Russia’s war on Ukraine. From the Kremlin’s manipulation of the Russian Orthodox Church through the “Russian World” ideology to Ukraine’s interfaith unity under fire, Hovorun reveals how faith, national security, and democracy intersect in this life-and-death struggle. Together, they explore the Kremlin’s propaganda tactics, the resilience of Ukraine’s diverse religious communities, and why protecting both freedom and security remains a delicate but essential balance.