The dissertation reveals the essence and content of social doctrine of the
Orthodox Church, its role and position in the processes of democratic state-building
of Ukraine on the basis of complex research of scientific-theoretical approaches of
public administration towards the state and Church relations as well as the analysis
of Christian theology; the new research direction is substantiated - «Christian
theology of public administration» which is a holistic complex interdisciplinary
analysis, integrating theological, state-administrative, philosophical, political,
sociological, religious, ethical, cultural and historical aspects and it forms value
foundations of democratic state creation of Ukraine.
The theoretical and methodological foundations of the formation and
realization of the social doctrine of the Orthodox Church as a multifaceted spiritual
and social meta-phenomenon are summarized and systematized and it reflects the
totality of goals, tasks, principles, approaches to spiritual foundations of the
functioning of society and the state in their historical development and materializes
in the main directions of social activity of the Christian Church in the sociopolitical
space of the state.
The content of the basic concepts of Christian theology, morality and
spiritual values of Christianity in the sphere of state formation is determined. The
philosophy of public administration in the context of religious values of mankind
and the paradigm of social policy of the Church as a system of Church forms and
methods of spiritual and social activity in the following areas are substantiated:
upbringing, education, business, multifaceted professional activity, catechesis,
enlightenment, chaplaincy, social work, extensive community service, missionary
work and more.
It is substantiated that the modern state should be ideologically neutral
towards religious organizations and at the same time state is called to create
conditions for the development of religious communities, to protect religious,
spiritual, value, linguistic, cultural, historical heritage of the Ukrainian nation as
well as to take into account the history, eschatology, culture and social doctrine of
Christianity, to build relations with the Churches in the spirit of tolerance, mutual
respect, toleration, mutual constructive cooperation.
Key words: state, state formation, public administration, social doctrine of
the Christian Church, social policy of the Orthodox Church.
