In the Odesa region, 60% of residents described relations among people of faith as friendly

Despite the war and social changes, most residents of the Odesa region consider interfaith relations in the region to be peaceful and friendly. At the same time, the level of trust in representatives of different faiths remains high, although attitudes toward certain religious groups are more reserved.

This was discussed duringthe presentation of the sociological study “Assessment of the Religious Situation: Odesa Region,” conducted by the sociological group “Rating.”Intentco co-organizedthe event. 

According to the study, 60% of Odesa region residents described relations between representatives of different churches and religions in their area as friendly. Another 18% rated them as calm. Only 13% of respondents consider these relations to be tense, and 5% consider them to be conflictual.

<picture></picture><picture></picture>INFOGRAPHIC: “Rating” sociological group

Residents of the Odesa region and Odesa itself view the situation most positively. In rural areas, the percentage of those reporting friendly relations also remains high—over 60%.

At the same time, assessments of the situation on a national scale were more reserved. Only 39% of the region’s residents consider interreligious relations in Ukraine to be friendly, while another 10% describe them as calm. In contrast, 30% report tension, and 13% even perceive conflict in this area.

Separately, sociologists examined attitudes toward members of different religious denominations. Respondents demonstrated the highest level of trust and willingness to interact closely with members of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. Most of those surveyed are willing to consider them as family members, friends, neighbors, and colleagues.

<picture></picture><picture></picture>INFOGRAPHIC: “Rating” Sociological Group

The level of acceptance of members of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church remains quite high. A significant portion of the region’s residents also has a positive attitude toward Protestants.

As for members of other religious communities —Jews and Muslims—the prevailing sentiment is a willingness to accept them as neighbors, colleagues, and fellow citizens of Ukraine. The proportion of those who would not like to see members of these religions in Ukraine remains relatively small and does not exceed one-fifth of those surveyed.

The authors of the study note that the Odesa region demonstrates a higher level of interreligious tolerance than the national average, and local communities are largely characterized by the peaceful coexistence of members of different faiths.

Additionally, nearly half of the residents of the Odesa region supported banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) due to its ties to the Russian Orthodox Church. There is a growing demand in the region for religious organizations to distance themselves from the aggressor country and to assume greater responsibility for issues of national security. 

Анна Бальчінос