Bubenschikov V. The role of Greek Catholic Church in ethnic development of the Ukrainian and Byelorussian peoples: comparative analysis.

The thesis gives historicosophsky analysis of the origin and development of Greek Catholic Church on the territory of Ukrainian and Byelorussian lands. Chronologically this period covers the time from the end of the XVI century, when Berestey Union (Unia) took place and gave the start of functioning of Greek Catholic Church, till the middle of the XX century. It was at that period of time that not only genesis of Greek Catholic Church took place, but this confession influenced the ethnic processes taking place in Ukraine and Byelorussia at the very same time, when the formation of modern Ukrainian and Byelorussian nations was taking place and accordingly the Ukrainian and Byelorussian national consciousness was formed. As a result under the pressure of the state structures of Russian empire Greek Catholic Church stopped its existence in Byelorussia and on the territories of Ukraine (Volyn and Holmschyna) where it had stable positions before.