Activity of the Ukrainian Orthodox Hierarchy as a Factor of Integration of Ukrainian Society (from Empire to the Present)

Abstract

The activity of the Ukrainian Orthodox hierarchy in the XVIII century is investigated as an integrative factor for Ukrainian society in two contexts – church-political and cultural-educational in its connection with contemporaneity. It is underlined that the times of defending by the leaders of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church their rights as well as their own spiritual and cultural traditions under conditions of the Russian imperial centralism. It shows the importance of realization in the modern terms of idea of creation of the only Ukrainian Orthodox Church as a solusion of important for the Ukrainian people problem of joining up around of an own spiritual center.

Key words: Ukrainian Orthodox Hierarchy, Russian Empire, Integration Factor, Kyiv Metropoly, Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kyiv Patriarchy, Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchy, Ukrainian Orthodox Autocephalous Church.