Grygorovych L. The Autocephalous Orthodox Church as a Factor of Building and Development of the Ukrainian Nation-Manuscript

The thesis is devoted to examining the problems of genesis, formation and functioning of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church as a factor of building and development of the Ukrainian nation. Spiritual and ideological principles of state building in Ukraine are analysed at different stages which were accompanied by the processes of self-identification of nation and Autocephalous Church formation. Peculiarities of Ukrainian Orthodoxy are considered. The basic stages of strengthening Christianity on the territory of Ukraine-Rus are revealed . The actual autonomy of the Kiev Metropolia, the rebirth of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine in the 17th century and the loss of its independence in the 18th century are described, the revival of the Ukrainian State and Church at the beginning of the 20th century and the specificity of the Ukrainian Orthodoxy functioning in the days of communist totalitarianism are shown. Special accent is done on the illegal subordination of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church bythe Russian Church. The georeligion and geopolitical value of revival and functioning of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church is reflected, as well as its role in strengthening the state sovereignty and defending national interests of the Ukrainian people. The work shows problematic relations of the state and church after the renewal of Ukraine's independence and sovereignty at the end of the 20th century, complications and mechanisms of developing the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in a modern eroch. The role of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church is grounded as a spiritual basis for national development.