The relevance of the study is due to the importance of understanding its role in the social life of the region. After the end of World War I and in the conditions of the restoration of Poland, Eastern Galicia was part of the DRP, which significantly affected the socio-economic situation. The GCC, in addition to its religious mission, was actively involved in solving urgent social problems. It played a leading role in the development of educational, charitable, cooperative and cultural initiatives. Thanks to the network of parish communities, the Church contributed to the unification of Ukrainians, support for the underprivileged and the development of national consciousness.
Of particular importance is the study of the economic aspects of the Church's activities, in particular its participation in the development of the cooperative movement, the creation of credit unions and educational institutions. This allowed for a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of interaction between the Church and society in conditions of socio-economic instability. The analysis of the socio-economic activities of the GCC in Eastern Galicia will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the historical processes that influenced the formation of civil society, enrich knowledge about the role of religious institutions in the socio-economic development of the region, and allow for a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of interaction between the Church and society in the conditions of socio-economic instability of the interwar period.
The relevance of the topic is emphasized by the need to analyze the role of the Church in the formation of the national elite and its influence on the development of Ukrainian identity. In the interwar period, the GCC acted as an important center of spiritual and public life, its activities contributed to the preservation of cultural heritage and support for educational projects. Given the modern challenges associated with issues of religious and cultural self-determination, the study of the historical experience of the socio-economic activities of the GCC can be useful for developing strategies for the development of civil society. It will also contribute to the formation of an objective assessment of the role of religious institutions in building social cohesion and economic stability. In general, the study of the socio-economic activities of the Ukrainian Christian Church in Eastern Galicia during the period under study will allow not only a deeper understanding of the historical processes of this period, but also to make sense of them for modern society. The role of religious institutions in providing social support, developing education, and preserving cultural heritage remains relevant today.
The scientific novelty and theoretical significance of the study lie in the fact that for the first time:
the historiographical achievements of Ukrainian and foreign scholars on the topic of the study were analyzed;
a significant array of documentary sources was identified, processed and introduced into scientific use;
theoretical and methodological principles and the corresponding scientific tools of work were formed;
a comprehensive approach was used to study the socio-economic activities of the Ukrainian Church in Eastern Galicia in the interwar period;
the legal status of the Church, its organizational and managerial structure and the nature of interaction with government institutions were determined;
the social dimension of the church activity of the clergy in public life, the functioning of church schools and educational institutions, the development of the system of charity, social care and the implementation of the moral mission of the Church were studied;
the structure of church property, management of land resources and economic infrastructure, its involvement in the cooperative movement and support of the Ukrainian peasantry are described;
the material situation of the clergy, the mechanisms of socio-economic adaptation of the Church to the conditions of the interwar period are revealed.
The practical significance lies in the possibility of their use to deepen the modern scientific and public understanding of the role of the Ukrainian Church as one of the key factors in the socio-economic development of Eastern Galicia in the interwar period. The research materials can become the basis for the preparation of general works on the history of the Ukrainian religious and socio-economic movement, regional and comparative studies on the history of the Church. The results of the research can be used in the educational process of higher education institutions when teaching courses on the history of Ukraine, religious studies,
socio-economic history and history of the Church.
