History of Formation and Current Trends in Ukrainians’ Religious Life in Croatia

Abstract

The article examines the religious life of Ukrainians in Croatia, which in 2021 celebrated the 120th anniversary of its settlement in Croatia. The analysis was based on the example of the Greek Catholic Church, as almost all immigrants came from the Greek Catholic regions of Ukraine and, having gone abroad, in most cases remained faithful to this denomination. The conditions for the creation of the first religious communities are considered. Attention is also paid to the main historical factors that at one time or another influenced the religious life of Ukrainians in Croatia. The role of the Church in the life of the diaspora at the present stage is also highlighted. The aim of the article is to study the history of formation, role and content of the religious life of Ukrainians in Croatia throughout the history of the diaspora in this country, highlighting the transformational processes of religious life of diasporas. The study allows us to draw the following conclusions. First of all, it should be noted that more than half of the Ukrainian diaspora in Croatia remained faithful to the Greek Catholic Church. Military events in the first half of the 90s of the twentieth century caused significant damage to Ukrainian Greek Catholic parishes in Croatia. Many temples were destroyed, some temples were severely damaged. Immediately after the cessation of hostilities, people returned to the inhabited areas and rebuilt churches along with their own homes. In Croatia, believers have received some financial support from the Ministry of Reconstruction and Development. Today, according to the last census, which was conducted in 2011, the religious affiliation of Ukrainians in Croatia is distributed as follows: 71.3% – Greek Catholics, 18.2 % – orthodox, 0.3 % – Protestants, 10.2 % – atheists, undecided, etc. For Ukrainians, the Greek Catholic faith has a unique national orientation. Religious rites are closely intertwined with national traditions, and therefore the Church for Ukrainians in Croatia continues to be the centre of not only religious but also national life of the diaspora.