Abiding Traditions of the Heroic Ukrainian Spirit

Abstract

430 years ago, at the turn of 1591–1592, there broke out the very first Cossack uprising in the whole series of Cossack uprisings of the end of the 16th-first half of the 17th century. Being the result of half of a century relentless Cossack struggle, they transformed into the war of 1648-1654 under the leadership of Khmelnytsky and eventually led to the re-establishment of Ukrainian statehood in the mid-17th century. The article historiographically elucidates social and national origins of Kryshtof Kosynsky, the leader of the uprising, as well as his religious confession, reasons behind his coming to Zaporizhzhia, first mentionings of him, and the beginnings of his service in protecting the Commonwealth’s borders. Kosynky’s contacts and relationships with high-ranking government officials, in particular Janush Zamoski and members of the Ostrogski and Wiśniowecki magnate princely families are clarified as well as his matrimonial ties with the Rużyński princely family. The article elaborates on the state of the Cossacks, their recruitment and how they were treated by the government, causes of their discontent and the specific motive for the uprising. The article also shows how the insurrectionary events unfolded, in particular near Bila Tserkva, Trypillia, and Piatka. The circumstances of Kosynsky’s death and the myths around him are described.This anniversary has given an opportunity to recall commitment and heroic deeds of Cossacks who defended not only the rights and freedoms of their own estate, but also ignited other strata of society with the holy spirit of freedom. In this article, which was written before the Russian-Ukrainian war unleashed by Russia on February 24, 2022, the author traces similarities between the courage of Cossack knights and heroic deeds which are currently being manifested en masse by the soldiers of the Armed Forces and civilians of Ukraine. Thus, nowadays the descendants of the Cossack knights courageously defend not only the borders, independence and freedom of Ukraine as it has long been the case in our national history, but without exaggeration also European democratic values and Western civilization as such. This massive heroism and courage of Ukrainians testifies that the freedom-loving traditions of the Ukrainian nation are invincible.