ПРАВОСЛАВНА ЦЕРКВА УКРАЇНИ В ГЛОБАЛЬНІЙ ЦЕРКОВНІЙ ПОЛІТИЦІ: ВИКЛИКИ ТА ПЕРСПЕКТИВИ ДЛЯ ЦЕРКВИ І ДЕРЖАВИ

Abstract

We have identified and characterized some historical precedents in the world orthodoxy for the procedure of establishing the local churches, recognizing their autocephaly and gaining the patriarchate status with relevant characteristics determined both by political context and specific circumstances. When looking through the prospects and forecasts for the recognition of the autocephalous status of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine by other Orthodox churches, based on the realities of the present time, there are three equal groups of churches distinguished depending on their current positions on Ukrainian autocephaly: pro-Fener, pro-Moscow and awaiting ones. Currently, there are various models of state-church relations operating in the world Orthodox community: the model of the church statehood and the model of separation of church and state. When it comes to the «separation», it means that the state does not equate itself to any religion and church; the latter are not supposed to perform the functions of the state; both institutions respect each other’s autonomy in the relevant spheres: the church is not endowed with political power, while the state takes a neutral position regarding to religious organizations, without advocating or against any of them. In each case, the «own» model is specific and depends on many factors including the legal culture that exists in the society, the views of both state and church authorities on this issue, traditions, the spiritual state of the society, and so on. The options for implementing the model of separation of church and state in the local Orthodox churches are considered; the conclusion is drawn about the various forms of its deployment in a practical way. Despite the fact that the legal framework of contemporary Ukraine is based on the principle of separation of church and state, in fact, orientations towards the post-Soviet model of state-church relations are still maintained, which does not contribute to the organization of partnership between the state and the church. We have developed proposals to public authorities regarding the legislative implementation of a conventional system of church-state relations in Ukraine with the subsequent conclusion of an agreement – the Symphony; elaboration of a legal mechanism to prevent the transfer of the national Ukrainian sanctuaries to the ownership of foreign states; developing active cooperation across the entire spectrum of state-church and socio-religious relations with the world religious centers.