INTER-CONFESSIONAL RELATIONS IN UKRAINE IN THE CONTEXT OF INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITY: CHURCH-RELIGIOUS AND PUBLIC-POLITICAL ASPECTS

Abstract

The article deals with inter-confessional relations during the period of Ukraine's independence in the context of international activity, namely the relevant church-religious and state-political aspects. It is determined that in the historiography the outlined issues have not yet been the subject of a separate study. International activity is one of the areas of activity of churches and religious organizations in Ukraine; it is also implemented within the framework of inter-confessional relations. The most constructive inter-confessional dialogue in the context of international activity is being implemented by the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations. Both church-religious organizations and inter-confessional associations support their own and state-political international initiatives. Religious international initiatives are manifested through the support of relations with foreign church-religious structures, the organization of the participation of clergy in foreign thematic events, meetings of foreign religious and clergy, political and state figures, delegations from other countries. The controversial attitude of various religious denominations, which has come to the international level, is observed with regard to the creation of the Single Local Orthodox Ukrainian Church. An important direction in the inter-confessional dialogue in the international context was the support for European integration of Ukraine and the confrontation with Russian military aggression in Ukraine. In general, the church and religious organizations did not oppose European integration, and in some cases openly supported it. Church-religious organizations have been actively involved in Ukraine's activities aimed at engaging international support of Ukraine in confronting Russian military aggression. Significant successes of the religious community should be noted, specifically, in promoting the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war and hostages, providing humanitarian assistance to victims, condemning the harassment of freedom of conscience and the activities of religious organizations on the occupied territories, etc.