The Podebrady centre of the UAOC in the interwar csr (1924–1939)

Abstract

Th e purpose of the study is to characterize the activities of the Podebrady centre of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine in interwar Czechoslovakia. Th e research methodology is based on the principles of concrete-historical, problem-chronological approaches, objectivity, and integrity, as well as the use of methods of analysis and synthesis. Th e scientifi c novelty lies in refl ecting the solution of Ukrainian emigration to the issue of the Ukrainianization of the Church. Conclusions. Th e Podebrady Ukrainian Orthodox movement was represented by three separate groups of believers. Th e fi rst belonged to the canonical ju- risdiction of the Serbian Orthodox Church under Archbishop Gorazd (Pavlika, 1879–1942). The second, mostly “autocephalists”, – the Supreme Church Council of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church for emigration on the territory of the Czechoslovak Republic, headed by the famous politician Serhii Shelukhin (1864–1938) and the connoisseur of Ukrainian church life, specialist historian Vasyl Bidnov (1874–1935) – it was subordinate to the Constantinople to the patriarch. Archbishop Savvatii was the head of the group of “Ukrainian Praguers” (Vrabets, 1880–1952). Th e third group of Ukrainian emigrants joined the Russian Orthodox parish and recognized the authority of Bishop Serhii (Korolyova, 1881–1952). Th e emigration “autocephalous” centre arose in the resort town of Podebrady, 20 km from Prague, and had 182 Ukrainian Academy of Economics students and 51 teachers. From 1924 to 1939, Hryhoriy Melnyk (1893 – aft er 1939) was the Podebrady “autocephalists” pastor. Th e members of the Orthodox Brotherhood, named aft er Saints Cyril and Methodius, were active participants in the life of the Ukrainian emigration community in interwar Czechoslovakia. Th ey left the most noticeable mark not only in main- taining high morale but also in the material support of other exiles and their families in the fi ght against drunkenness, suicide, and eugenics.