DMYTRO DANYLYSHYN AND VASYL BILAS: TO THE QUESTION OF THE ORGANIZATION OF UKRAINIAN NATIONALISTS’ POLITICAL RELIGION FORMATION

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The purpose of the study is to investigate the life and activities of Dmytro Danylyshyn and Vasyl Bilas in a historical context. The article seeks to establish the influence of the so-called Horodok affair, in which these young people participated, on the further history of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN). Additionally, it aims to trace the formation of the Bilas-Danylyshyn worship. Methodology: The work employs general scientific and special historical methods, including chronological, historical-comparative, historical-systemic, source criticism, as well as the methodology of intellectual history and nationalism studies. Academic novelty. For the first time, the life and activities of Dmytro Danylyshyn and Vasyl Bilas are examined in the context of the formation of the OUN political religion. The worship of heroes became a cornerstone of the new religion. Danylyshyn and Bilas were significant figures for the OUN because their patriotism and self-sacrifice allowed the new religion to be formally established. This text also explores the influence of individual representatives of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church on the formation of the OUN political religion. Additionally, for the first time, the concept of «monomyth» by Joseph Campbell was applied to OUN mythmaking. Conclusions. The Ukrainian-Polish conflict in the Second Polish Republic was a significant challenge for Dmytro Danylyshyn and Vasyl Bilas. Influenced by OUN propaganda, they believed that terrorist activity was a justifiable method for national liberation. Their involvement in the OUN action in Horodok led to their trial and subsequent execution on the gallows, turning them into «icons» of the nationalist movement. The Horodok affair created a new propaganda niche for the OUN, allowing its members to be portrayed as modern martyrs for Ukraine, largely due to the testimony of the Greek Catholic priest Kyndii. The hero worship of Danylyshyn and Bilas was fueled by public recognition and intentional activities of nationalist propaganda. These figures have been mythologized. Thanks to Bilas and Danylyshyn, the OUN version of the nationalist «monomyth» was established.