Chubenko O. Ukrainian icon as a phenomenon of Eastern Christian tradition

First time in the history of Ukrainian religious studies, this dissertation offers a holistic, concept-based approach to Ukrainian icon as a phenomenon of Eastern Christian tradition. For this purpose, the meaning of "icon" has been pr?cised and broadened. It includes corresponding to specific canons artistic and sculptural representations of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, the apostles and saints, as well as men and the world created in the image of God. The main religious, socio-cultural origins of Ukrainian icon have been analyzed. It shows that Ukrainian icon arose due to, firstly, development of the Byzantine-Russian icon-painting tradition; secondly, synthesis of Christian, pagan, and heretical teachings and notions that were widespread among the common people as well as well-educated Orthodox clergymen; thirdly, socio-cultural living conditions of the Ukrainian people at the turn of the ХVI - ХVIІ centuries; and fourthly, effect of the worldview and esthetic ideas of the Latinized European culture. It is emphasized that Ukrainian icon is a syncretic phenomenon - the one that has emerged as a result of a natural combination of religious ideas of the Eastern Christianity, religious and secular Western-European culture, as well as different ideas of pagan worldview of the Ukrainian common people.