A group of Orthodox Christian believers led by Moscow-appointed clerics hold prayers outside the Ukrainian parliament and protest the formation of an independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Kiev, Ukraine, Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. The Russian Orthodox Church has called on the United Nations, the leaders of Germany and France, the pope and other spiritual leaders to protect believers in Ukraine in the face of official pressure on Moscow-appointed clerics. (AP Photo/Serhii Nuzhnenko)

A group of Orthodox Christian believers led by Moscow-appointed clerics hold prayers outside the Ukrainian parliament to protest the formation of an independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Kiev, Ukraine, Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. The Russian Orthodox Church has called on the United Nations, the leaders of Germany and France, the pope and other spiritual leaders to protect believers in Ukraine in the face of official pressure on Moscow-appointed clerics. (AP Photo/Serhii Nuzhnenko)