For proponents of Ukrainian independence, Saturday was a long-awaited day.

Inside Kiev’s St Sophia Cathedral, a unification council of 190 delegates gathered to serve the final rites on the country’s 332-year-old religious ties with Moscow Orthodoxy; to create a new, unified Ukrainian Orthodox Church; and elect a new leader. The council followed September's decision by the Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople to grant the Ukrainian Church autocephaly (independence).

Several thousands of Ukrainians gathered outside the Cathedral from early Saturday morning. It was several hours before President Petro Poroshenko, the main architect of the process, emerged to break the news and present the new head of the Church, Metropolitan Epifaniy (Serhiy Dumenko).

“It’s here,” Mr Poroshenko said. “This day has already gone into history as a sacred day, the day we created an autocephalous local Orthodox Church. It is a day of final independence from Russia.”

The Unification Council brought together bishops from two hitherto-breakaway Ukrainian Orthodox churches, and 10 breakaway bishops from what was until recently the only canonical church in Ukraine, the Moscow-backed Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

It took the Council several hours of to elect Metropolitan Epifaniy as leader of the new unified church. The remarkably young 39-year-old is considered to be the right-hand man of the head of the Kiev-backed Patriarchate, Patriarch Filaret. The divisive Filaret chose not to stand, reportedly following interventions from Constantinople.

Both Moscow and the Moscow-backed Ukrainian Orthodox Church oppose the unification. Kiev, on the other hand, argues that the creation of a new, independent church is a matter of national security and independence.

President Poroshenko, who is struggling in the polls ahead of next March's presidential election, has made it a centrepiece policy of his campaign.

But the push to create an autocephalous church in Ukraine is not a new one. Almost exactly 100 years ago, Pavlo Skoropadsky, hetman (the highest military officer) of the short-lived Ukrainian state in 1918, tried to do the same but was rebuffed by the Metropolitan of Kiev (an Orthodox bishop). Soon after, the Bolsheviks regained control, and the issue was closed for a century.

Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Show all 32 1 /32 Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Activists of opposition parties burn flares during a rally demanding to break an agreement with Russia on the use of the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait, in front of the parliament building in Kiev Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Volunteers with the right-wing paramilitary Azov National Corps light flares during a rally on the snowy streets in front of the Ukrainian parliament in Kiev after Russia seized two of their armored artillery vessels and a tug boat in the Black Sea AP Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Ukrainian Nationalists demand to break the diplomatic relations with Russia and nationalization of Russian property in Ukraine EPA Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Ukrainian activists burn flares during their rally in front of Russian Consulate in Kharkiv EPA Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Activists of opposition parties burn flares during a rally demanding to break an agreement with Russia on the use of the Azov Sea and the Kerch Strait, in front of the parliament building in Kiev, Ukraine November 26, 2018. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich GLEB GARANICH Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Seized Ukrainian ships, small armoured artillery ships and a tug boat, are seen anchored in a port of Kerch Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Volunteers with the right-wing paramilitary Azov National Corps brandish flares during a rally on the snowy streets in front of the Ukrainian parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018. Some hundreds of protesters from far-right party National Corps brandished yellow-and-blue flags with the Ukrainian national trident symbol, and a banner reading 'Don't back down!" . (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) Efrem Lukatsky AP Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 The President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, announced, on 25 November, at a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council that they will introduce martial law in Ukraine for a period of 60 days and appeal to the Parliament to consider the move Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Russia seized two small-sized 'Berdiansk' and 'Nikopol' armored artillery boats. The 'Yany Kapu' tugboat has forcibly been stopped Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Children from an orphanage volunteer to help the city defenders strengthen trenches on Ukraine's Army positions near the village of Rybatske 25 km from Mariupol AP Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Volunteers with the right-wing paramilitary Azov National Corps light flares during a rally on the snowy streets in front of the Ukrainian parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018. Some hundreds of protesters from far-right party National Corps brandished yellow-and-blue flags with the Ukrainian national trident symbol, and a banner reading 'Don't back down!" (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) Efrem Lukatsky AP Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Policemen guard at Russian consulate during a protest action in the Black Sea Ukrainian city of Odessa AFP/Getty Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 epa07190805 Ukrainian Nationalists burn flares and smoke grenades during their rally in front of Parliament building in Kiev, Ukraine, 26 November 2018 as they demand to break the diplomatic relations with Russia and nationalization of Russian property in Ukraine. The President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko at a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council on 25 November 2018 announced the decision to introduce martial law in Ukraine and to appeal to the Parliament to consider the move at an extraordinary meeting. It is about the introduction of martial law for a period of 60 days. The Ukrainian Parliament will convene for an extraordinary meeting at evening 26 November 2018. Russia has seized three Ukrainian vessels amid their leaving the Kerch Strait on 25 November 2018. The two small-sized 'Berdiansk' and 'Nikopol' armored artillery boats have come under enemy fire and are now dead in the water. The 'Yany Kapu' tugboat has forcibly been stopped. The vessels have been captured by special forces of the Russian Federation, the press service of Ukraine's Navy said on Facebook on Sunday evening. EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO EPA Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Activists of Ukrainian far-right groups shout slogans during their rally in front of the Ukrainian parliament in Kiev on November 26, 2018, as they demand to set martial law in the country and to cut diplomatic relations with Russia. - Ukraine's military was on high alert and parliament was to vote on November 26 on a request from President to impose martial law for 60 days after Russian navy seized three Ukrainian ships off the coast of Crimea. (Photo by Sergei SUPINSKY / AFP)SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images AFP/Getty Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 With relations still raw after Russia’s annexation of Crimea and its backing for a pro-Moscow insurgency in eastern Ukraine, the capture of three Ukrainian naval vessels risks pushing the two countries towards a wider conflict. Graphic explains how the naval incident unfolded on a map Graphic News Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Activists of far-right parties burn flares in front of the parliament building in Kiev during a rally to support the Ukrainian navy Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 A Ukraine army APC moves toward on position at an undisclosed location in eastern Ukraine AP Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Ukrainian Nationalists sign a banner with a slogan reading like 'Not retreat and not surrendering!' EPA Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Activists of Ukrainian far-right groups hold flares during their rally in front of the Ukrainian parliament in Kiev on November 26, 2018, as they demand to set martial law in the country and to cut diplomatic relations with Russia. - Ukraine's military was on high alert and parliament was to vote on November 26 on a request from President to impose martial law for 60 days after Russian navy seized three Ukrainian ships off the coast of Crimea. (Photo by Sergei SUPINSKY / AFP)SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images SERGEI SUPINSKY AFP/Getty Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Activists glue Ukrainian flag on the fence of Russian consulate AFP/Getty Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 A volunteer with the right-wing paramilitary Azov National Corps during a rally on the snowy streets in front of the Ukrainian parliament in Kiev AP Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Volunteers with the right-wing paramilitary Azov National Corps hold flares during a rally on the snowy streets in front of the Ukrainian parliament in Kiev, Ukraine, Monday, Nov. 26, 2018. Some hundreds of protesters from far-right party National Corps brandished yellow-and-blue flags with the Ukrainian national trident symbol, and a banner reading 'Don't back down!" (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) Efrem Lukatsky AP Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 epa07190891 Ukrainian Nationalists attend their rally in front of Parliament building in Kiev, Ukraine, 26 November 2018 as they demand to break the diplomatic relations with Russia and nationalization of Russian property in Ukraine. The President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko at a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council on 25 November 2018 announced the decision to introduce martial law in Ukraine and to appeal to the Parliament to consider the move at an extraordinary meeting. It is about the introduction of martial law for a period of 60 days. The Ukrainian Parliament will convene for an extraordinary meeting at evening 26 November 2018. Russia has seized three Ukrainian vessels amid their leaving the Kerch Strait on 25 November 2018. The two small-sized 'Berdiansk' and 'Nikopol' armored artillery boats have come under enemy fire and are now dead in the water. The 'Yany Kapu' tugboat has forcibly been stopped. The vessels have been captured by special forces of the Russian Federation, the press service of Ukraine's Navy said on Facebook on Sunday evening. EPA/SERGEY DOLZHENKO SERGEY DOLZHENKO EPA Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 An activist piles up tires during a protest against the seizure by Russian special forces of three of the Ukrainian navy ships, which Russia blocked from passing through the Kerch Strait into the Sea of Azov in the Black Sea, in front of the Russian embassy in Kiev, Ukraine November 25, 2018. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 A National Guard serviceman extinguishes a torch thrown by a protester during a rally against the seizure by Russian special forces of three of the Ukrainian navy ships Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 A protester throws a smoke grenade during a rally in front of the embassy of Russia in Kiev AP Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Protestors set up paper ships on the tires during their rally near of Russian embassy building in Kiev EPA Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Smoke from a flare thrown by a protester is seen during a rally against the seizure by Russian special forces of three of the Ukrainian navy ships, which Russia blocked from passing through the Kerch Strait into the Sea of Azov in the Black Sea, in front of the Russian embassy in Kiev, Ukraine November 25, 2018. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich GLEB GARANICH Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 A man extinguishes a burning car of the embassy of Russia Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 Paper boats are seen placed during a protest Reuters Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 epa07190225 Ukrainian policemen guard the Russian embassy building with smoke behind during Ukrainian activists rally in Kiev, Ukraine, 25 November 2018. Russia has seized three Ukrainian vessels amid their leaving the Kerch Strait; Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is gathering the Military Cabinet over the incident. The two small-sized 'Berdiansk' and 'Nikopol' armored artillery boats have come under enemy fire and are now dead in the water. The 'Yany Kapu' tugboat has forcibly been stopped. The vessels have been captured by special forces of the Russian Federation, the press service of Ukraine's Navy said on Facebook on Sunday evening. The Ukrainian Navy also reported the number of the Ukrainian servicemen wounded in the incident grew to two persons as Ukrainian media report. EPA/STEPAN FRANKO EPA-EFE/STEPAN FRANKO EPA Protests break out after Russia seize Ukraine warships in 2018 epa07190217 A protestor throws a smoke grenade at the building during their rally near the Russian embassy in Kiev, Ukraine, 25 November 2018. Russia has seized three Ukrainian vessels amid their leaving the Kerch Strait; Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is gathering the Military Cabinet over the incident. The two small-sized 'Berdiansk' and 'Nikopol' armored artillery boats have come under enemy fire and are now dead in the water. The 'Yany Kapu' tugboat has forcibly been stopped. The vessels have been captured by special forces of the Russian Federation, the press service of Ukraine's Navy said on Facebook on Sunday evening. The Ukrainian Navy also reported the number of the Ukrainian servicemen wounded in the incident grew to two persons as Ukrainian media report. EPA/STEPAN FRANKO EPA-EFE/STEPAN FRANKO EPA

This time, things have moved in a different direction.

The first breakthrough for Kiev came in April, when Patriarch Bartholomew, the leading figure in the Orthodox Church, received Petro Poroshenko and his request for Autocephaly.

Several months later, in October, Bartholomew announced that Constantinople had agreed in principle to the request. Today represented the last stage before the issuing of “Tomos,” the official recognition of independence. This will now happen in early January.

The decision to grant the Ukrainian Church autocephaly has had a momentous impact in the Orthodox world. Following the October announcement, the Russian Orthodox Church resolved to sever links with Constantinople. While the Russian Church is the largest by numbers, Constantinople was notionally considered “first among equals” in the Orthodox world.

The split has also increased animosity between the three Orthodox operating churches. The Moscow-backed church has complained about pressure on congregations and clergy from the Kiev government.

In a recent interview with The Independent, Archbishop Kliment, a senior representative for the Moscow-backed church described the moves as “unprecedented, asset-grabbing schemes” that belonged in the Soviet period. He claimed the government would now look to arrest control of Kiev’s Pechersk Lavra monastery, the spiritual centrepiece of Orthodoxy.

Earlier this week, Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, complained about “large-scale persecutions" in an open letter to the UN, Pope and German leader Angela Merkel. A few days earlier, he talked about “forces of evil rising up against the Orthodox Church”.

The Ukrainian government accuses the Moscow-backed church of misleading public opinion. Kiev will not force adherence to the new church, it insists; every congregation will have the right to choose to which church it belongs.

Following four years of war in the east, support for the Moscow-backed church has fallen. Polls suggest that a majority of Orthodox believers now attend the Kiev Patriarchate. But the Moscow-backed church still has the most number of congregations (around 12,000 temples). A big question remains how many of those will now switch.

Once the Tomos is awarded in January, Moscow will likely do its best to isolate the new church.

The Russian Orthodox Church responded immediately to Saturday’s Unification Council by announcing that the new church was not canonical.

But for many people, the damage has already been done.