Ryk M. Symbolism in the Teachings of H. Skovoroda: Religious Analysis.

The thesis reflects a comprehensive religious analysis of symbolism in the heritage of the Ukrainian philosopher. As a result of the religious analysis of the teachings of H. Skovoroda, a religious symbol is defined as the bearer of knowledge about the relationship between man and God, and religious symbolism - as a religious and philosophical concept for representing a divine essence in the views of the Ukrainian philosopher. The problem of analysis of the scientific principles of religious and philosophical researches of the symbolism in the teachings of H. Skovoroda is considered. During the studying of scientific, religious and philosophical literature devoted to the phenomena of symbolism in the works of the Ukrainian philosopher it was determined that most Ukrainian and foreign scientists do not pay enough attention to the religious aspect of symbolism. On the basis of the comparative analysis of such philosophical concepts as «symbol», «religious symbol», «symbolism» in Ukrainian and foreign religious and philosophical literature, the wording of the «religious symbol» and «religious symbolism» in the teachings of H. Skovoroda is determined. A comparative analysis allowed to define a religious symbol as means by which person can cognize spiritual unity with a divine essence; and religious symbolism as a figurative and symbolic concept of the representation of the divinity in the material world. The necessity of establishing such provisions will lead to a rethinking of the religious and philosophical views of the Ukrainian philosopher and will allow to consider the teachings of H. Skovoroda as an integral phenomenon.