Ukrainian Catholics and Orthodox in Czechoslovakia

Abstract

Any discussion of Ukrainian Catholics and Orthodox in Czechoslovakia must begin with the questions of the identity and number· of Ukrainians in that country. Unfortunately, there is no consensus on either question. The term Rusyny, an old name for Ukrainians usually rendered in English as "Ruthenians", is still used in Slovakia. However, since the 19th century the Rusyny have variously identified themselves, and been identified, not only with Ukrainians, but also with Hungarians, Slovaks, and even Russians. Names which combine regional and ethnic identity, such as "Transcarpathian Ukrainians" and the misleading "Carpatho-Russians", have sprung up both in the Ukraine and in the diaspora. Post-war government policies have variously supported Russian, Ukrainian, and Rusyn . orientations. 1 This confusion, as well as widespread Ruthenian assimilation with the Slovak nationality, makes it difficult to define who the Ukrainians in Czechoslovakia are, and to estimate their numbers, even assuming that all Rusyny are Ukrainians. However, Ukrainians probably number at least 100,000 to 150,000. 2