The influence of the Christian tradition of Byzantium on the formation of the political culture of Ukraine-Rus

Abstract

In the context of democratization and revision of historical landmarks, the development of political culture of citizens of independent Ukraine acquires special importance. Political changes taking place in modern Ukraine lead to a return to the spiritual foundations of political life, laid back in the era of Christianization of Ukraine-Rus. The aim of the article was to investigate the influence of the Christian tradition of Byzantium on the formation of political principles and culture of Ukraine-Rus. In the course of the study, a set of general scientific methods of cognition was applied, such as comparative analysis, synthesis, historical method and generalization. As a result of the study, it was found that the political culture of the people arises from the awareness of the need for state organization of social life and the formation of their own statehood. In this sense, The main features of the Byzantine political and religious model are considered. The main factors that led to the Christianization of Ukraine-Rus are outlined. The adoption of Christianity contributed to the development of cultural and diplomatic ties between Russia and Central and Western Europe, opening it up to world cultural heritage. It is noted that along with Christianity, the ideology formed in the Byzantine Empire came to Russia, which determined a special understanding of power and its sacred significance. The principle of symbolic rule is identified as one of the key fundamental principles of Byzantine ideology. It is found that Ukraine-Rus adopted from Byzantium such an ideological heritage as the principle of symphony, which provided for harmonious interaction between the Church and the state. The adoption of Christianity in Russia contributed to the establishment of the principle of legality, which necessitated the legal consolidation of the rights of the Church under Prince Volodymyr, similar to the practices of Byzantium and Bulgaria. The conclusions indicate that starting from the 9th century, the Byzantine Empire exerted a significant cultural and religious influence on Ukraine-Rus. Not only was the Eastern version of Christianity borrowed from Byzantium, but it also included elements of state administration, culture, a model of church structure organization, legal norms, and traditions. Thus, the Christian tradition of Byzantium contributed to the legitimization of princely power, the formation of written law, and the development of diplomacy. Thus, the Christian tradition of Byzantium contributed to the legitimization of princely power, the formation of written law, and the development of diplomacy.