Greek Catholic Clergy in the Ukrainian National Movement of Eastern Galicia in the Interwar Period

Abstract

The article examines the peculiarities of the participation of the Greek Catholic clergy in the processes of the national movement of Ukrainians in the conditions of Eastern Galicia under the rule of the Polish Republic. The study focuses on the political and social conditions in which Ukrainians lived in the interwar period and identifies the activities in which the clergy of the Greek Catholic Church participated and initiated. Particularly important is the analysis of the participation of the clergy in the processes of proclaiming the West Ukrainian People's Republic in the context of the Polish-Ukrainian confrontation and preserving the national identity of Ukrainians.

The purpose of the study is to analyze the activities of the GCC clergy in the context of socio-political and religious processes in Galicia. The applied methods of analysis, synthesis, generalization and systematization allow us to study the participation of the Greek Catholic clergy in the processes of the national movement of Ukrainians in Eastern Galicia in the interwar period.

The results of the study show that, given the active assimilation policy of the Polish administration, which was aimed at integrating Eastern Galicia into Poland, the Greek Catholic clergy, being a significant national force that stabilized and united Ukrainian society, took an active part in the socio-political, cultural, and educational life of the region. This contributed to the growth of the Ukrainian national movement in Galicia. The consolidation of national forces was confirmed by the involvement of the clergy in the proclamation of the West Ukrainian People's Republic, as well as their activities in cultural and educational societies. The clergy distributed religious publications and literature, organized solemn celebrations of important historical events in Ukraine, supported the national awakening, and initiated the creation of the Catholic Action.