Religion - a centuries-old and rather multifaceted concept.This is the meaning of life for the vast majority of believers.Historically, Ukraine - the state, collected from different parts of the world.The same applies to religious people living on these lands.It is estimated that in western Ukraine dominates Catholicism as the main religion in eastern Ukraine - is Orthodoxy.However, apart from these beliefs, you can still find plenty of other fragments of different cultures.
status of religion in the state
As in any civilized country, the relationship between the secular authorities and the Government of Ukraine in legislation: in the Constitution and specific national and international regulations.According to these laws, every modern person has the right not only to freedom of speech and thought, and the choice of religion.Separately regulated and the activities of all religious institutions.Among other things, enshrined in law, and all property issues of churches and parishes.Also it established the educational process, employment and the distribution of the clergy.
In general, religion in Ukraine in the 20th century, has all the rights enshrined by law the existence and development.It does not matter what religion people profess Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism and Islam - all have the right to equal development.
Religion in Ukraine in numbers
Not long ago, official sources was made public a report of the Ministry of Culture.It was dedicated to statistics, the existing religious organizations in Ukraine.According to the report, the country has more than 55 religious trends.
Christian religion in Ukraine, the most numerous.It includes representatives of Moscow and Kiev Patriarchate, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and the Roman Catholic Church.All of them placed the total number of parishes and monasteries in descending order.
For example, the most numerous is the direction of the Moscow Patriarchate.There are more than 12,000 parishes and 190 monastery.The smallest can be called the Roman Catholic Church.Her worshipers can enjoy more than 900 parishes and 100 monasteries.
Presented in Ukraine and Protestant.It:
- Union of Christians-Baptists (2500 organizations).
- Pentecostals (1600 parishes).
- Seventh-day Adventists (1,000 organizations).
- Jehovah's Witnesses (1,000 communities).
raises the question of what religion is, in Ukraine, in addition to Christianity and Protestantism.Of course, it is Judaism (about 280 organizations), Islam (1200 communities) and small confessions.
Orthodox Kievan Rus, which included the territory of modern Ukraine in the Middle Ages, has become the main focus of the formation of Christianity.And the first, the most reliable documentary evidence of this process is the "Tale of Bygone Years".This source tells in detail about the formation and the first steps of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine and in Russia.
Prince Vladimir of Kiev for a long time to choose between the existing world religions, before giving preference to Christianity.He pursued the goal not only to unite the scattered pagan land, but also to create stronger political ties with the western and eastern states.
Orthodox proved to be the best option.After all, even the grandmother of Vladimir, Princess Olga, the first brought this belief from Byzantium.When it was built the temple of Elijah the Prophet.Taking his wife Byzantine princess, Vladimir was baptized.
today is what religion prevails in Ukraine, it is no secret.The hardest thing was spread Christianity in the province and on the outskirts of the country where the boundaries of other pagan nations.Eventually, however, people took compassionate practices of faith in Christ.
Religion in Ukraine in the 19th century
religion - this is what is formed over the years under the influence of a huge number of factors.Religion - is a kind of policy.It was her many rulers used to control its own people.
Religion in Ukraine in the 19th century was no exception.At that time, the country was divided between the two rival nations: Russian and Austrian empires.Religion has become the lever with which you can easily manage the huge mass of believers.To the west of this was used for Catholic, and in the east - Orthodox Church.And each side tried to attract worshipers to the side of the ruling monarchy.
Religion in Eastern Ukraine
According to many researchers, this part of the country significantly fewer believers than in the western and central regions.The proportion of religiously-minded people here, about 70%.Of course, as in other parts of Ukraine, it is mainly women.
According to research on "Religion in Ukraine" from 2005 to 10 000 inhabitants here had only 1 to 3 religious organizations.At the same time there have been fewer in Kharkiv, Donetsk and Lugansk regions.
absolute majority of parishioners has Ukrainian Orthodox Church, identifying themselves to the Moscow Patriarchate.To it belong to more than half of all the faithful of the Eastern Ukraine.By the Kyiv Patriarchate are less than 10% of parishioners.It is also well developed here Protestant movement, namely Jehovah's Witnesses, Baptists, Seventh Day Adventists and others. Separately, you can also select the adherents of Judaism and Islam.
Religion in Western Ukraine
According to many studies on the territory of the believers are unevenly distributed.Objective reasons for this can be a huge amount of: education, traditions, history, industrialization, and so on. D. It is believed that the greatest number of the faithful falls on the western region of Ukraine.There are more than 96% of people actively attend church and parishes, observe religious canons and holidays.
initially land in Western Ukraine was under the patronage of Vladimir-Volyn Diocese, subordinated to the Russian Orthodox Church.The first Catholic churches that are so common today, were there at the end of the 13th century.And promote their dissemination frequent intervention by Lithuania, Poland, Austria-Hungary and other western principalities.
Today religion in Ukraine, in its western part, is represented in most of the Roman Catholic and Greek Catholic churches.They are known more zealous than the Russian Orthodox Church, the attitude of faith and its canons.Greater Church policy has almost completely replaced the Orthodox church.To a large extent it is presented it is not the Moscow Patriarchate, and "splitters" - Kiev denomination.
