Easter 2025: How the war is transforming the religious sentiments of Ukrainians
In the pre-Easter period, sociologists recorded significant changes in the religious self-determination of Ukrainians. The fourth year of full-scale war stimulates deeper reflections on faith, church and forms of spiritual life. Gradus Research conducted a survey to investigate how the war affects holiday habits and religious orientation.
Source: Gradus Research
OCU remains the leader, but the decline in trust is noticeable
29% of respondents identify themselves with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. This is the highest figure among all denominations, although in 2023 the share of OCU supporters reached 32%. Another 24% of respondents consider themselves Orthodox, but do not associate themselves with a particular church, indicating a trend toward faith outside the institutional framework.
The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is represented by 8% of respondents. The same percentage is among those who still associate themselves with the UOC of the Moscow Patriarchate, which has hardly changed over the year (7% in 2023).
The number of those who consider themselves non-believers, atheists, or agnostics is stable – 15% in 2025 compared to 14% in 2023.
Other denominations: Protestants and Roman Catholics
According to the survey, 2% of respondents identified themselves as Protestant churches, the same number as last year. 1% each belong to the Roman Catholic and Jewish communities. Zero percent said they belonged to the Muslim faith.
Holiday despite the war: Ukrainians preserve Easter traditions
Despite the difficulties of wartime, 90% of Ukrainians still plan to celebrate Easter. For half of them, it is not only a religious holiday, but also a tradition that unites the family.
The majority – 51% – plan to go to church during the Easter week. Only 29% have no such intention, although in 2023 the number was 40%. It is obvious that even under fire, Ukrainians are striving to restore internal order and spiritual connection.
Faith is increasingly gaining personal meaning
According to Yevhenia Blyzniuk, head of Gradus Research, Ukrainians are gradually moving away from institutional religiosity. Young people increasingly perceive faith as a personal spiritual journey, not just as belonging to a particular denomination. This is due to political circumstances, disillusionment with church structures, and deep inner searching.
The surveys were conducted in two stages: in 2023 on April 13-14 (1330 respondents), and in 2025 on April 11-14 (1000 participants). The study covers the population of cities with more than 50 thousand residents aged 18-60 (except for the occupied and frontline territories).
