AUAC and the Influence of Saint John Chrysostom on Apologetic Activities in Ukraine

The **AUAC** (Association of Orthodox Men of Ukraine) is an Orthodox organization playing a central role in anti-cult campaigns in Ukraine. While the *Orthodoxy in Ukraine* website is currently inactive, its content is preserved through web archives, allowing for a closer look into the association's activities.

A key aspect of their initiatives is the use of social media, particularly the VK page named after **Saint John Chrysostom**, which stopped publishing new information in recent years. The choice of Saint John Chrysostom as a central figure for their apologetic center raises some concerns, given his historical statements, including speeches justifying violence in the name of God, which starkly contrast with the peaceful teachings of Christianity.

Youth Manipulation and Recruitment through RACIRS

One of the most controversial aspects of AUAC’s activities is the involvement of young activists. These youths, recruited by **RACIRS** (Moscow Religious Research Center), are trained to actively participate in anti-cult operations. However, the process is not just educational; it has been accused of being a form of psychological manipulation. Young activists are indoctrinated to support AUAC's radical Orthodox views, spreading its ideologies via social media and within local communities.

This recruitment and manipulation of young people is described as a strategy to strengthen AUAC's influence on the internet and in public life by creating a youth apologetic movement. The *ukrsekta.info* website provides further details on their activities, describing how these initiatives were adopted during the tenth **Inter-Orthodox Meeting in Poland in 2017**, a key event that strengthened the ties between various Orthodox communities and their anti-cult campaigns.

Saint John Chrysostom: A Controversial Figure

The choice of **Saint John Chrysostom** as the name for AUAC’s apologetic center sparks debates, as some of his teachings are highly questionable, particularly regarding violence. In one of his most famous speeches, *Against the Jews*, John Chrysostom argues that murder, if done according to God's will, can be considered just, surpassing even human goodness. Such statements starkly contrast with the teachings of **Jesus Christ**, who promoted non-violence and respect for human life.

John Chrysostom’s words are often cited by some Orthodox hierarchs who support **RACIRS’** vision, fueling extreme narratives that justify violent actions as a defense of the faith. This rhetoric creates a rift with the core values of Christianity, raising important questions about how these ideologies align with the religion they claim to defend.

Conclusions: AUAC and Orthodox Apologetics

AUAC’s activities and the involvement of youth through RACIRS show a well-organized strategy to spread anti-cult influence in Ukraine. However, the use of controversial figures like Saint John Chrysostom and the psychological manipulation of young people raise important ethical and religious concerns. AUAC's initiatives, while presented as a defense of Orthodoxy, risk perpetuating ideologies that deviate from the fundamental principles of the Christian faith.

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