Digital Commons Network^™

Guarding The Faith Or Resisting Dialogue?: Anti-Ecumenical Tendencies In Bulgarian Orthodoxy, Ioannis Kaminis

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This paper explores the historical, theological, and ideological roots of anti-ecumenical tendencies within the Bulgarian Orthodox Church (BOC), especially in the post-communist period. It examines whether the BOC's resistance to ecumenical dialogue genuinely reflects a defense of Orthodox tradition or represents a reactionary posture shaped by national, political, and ecclesiastical factors. Tracing the development of anti-ecumenism from the 19th-century schism with the Ecumenical Patriarchate through the communist era to the post-1990s resurgence of neo-traditionalist rhetoric, the study reveals how the convergence of ecclesial nationalism, ideological manipulation under communism, and theological exclusivism has produced a deep mistrust of ecumenical engagement. Influential …

Frontmatter (Volume 45, Issue 7), Paul B. Mojzes

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Spiritual History Of Poland: A Review, Christopher Garbowski

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

A review of Grzegorz Górny, Duchowa historia Polski: Millenium dwu koronacji, 1025-2025 (Warsaw: Rosikon Press, 2016)

ISBN: 978-83-62981-46-5

Digital Orthodoxy And Political Populism In Eastern Europe: How Orthodox Media Facilitate Political Mobilization, Dmytro Garaschuk, Oleh Sokolovskyi

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article examines the intersection of Orthodox digital media and political populism in Eastern Europe, focusing on how religious institutions utilize digital platforms to facilitate political mobilization, reinforce nationalistic narratives, and undermine democratic institutions. Drawing on a comparative analysis of six countries–Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Georgia, and Montenegro–the study identifies a shared ideological matrix that fuses populist rhetoric with theological motifs. The research highlights the strategic use of digital media by Orthodox actors to construct moral binaries, sacralize political resistance, and disseminate disinformation framed in religious language. Particular attention is given to the role of the Russian Orthodox Church and …

Estonian And Ukrainian Experience Of Getting Out From Under The Influence Of The Moscow Patriarchate, Bohdan Synchak

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The subject of this study is the problem of state interference in church life within the context of the need to counteract threats posed by the Moscow Patriarchate to the national security of Ukraine and Estonia. A comparative analysis of the experiences of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (EOC MP) and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) (UOC (MP)) in the process of eliminating Russian influence will contribute to a better understanding of the main issues that arise in this context. In Ukraine, there are two distinct Orthodox churches: the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) (UOC MP) …

Topics Of Historical Memory In The Pr Activities Of Religious Organizations In Present-Day Ukraine, Vadym Sluysar, Yuliia Kondratiuk, Iryna Vitiuk, Oleksandr Mosienko

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The article analyzes the role of religious organizations in Ukraine in shaping and preserving historical memory in the context of their PR activities. The article examines the contribution of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), the Roman Catholic Church (RCC), Protestant denominations, and Muslim organizations to the popularization of objective historical narratives. Through participation in memorial events, restoration of monuments, organization of scientific conferences, exhibitions, lectures, and publication of historical materials, religious organizations contribute to the formation of national and civic identity. Particular attention is paid to the coverage of tragic events such as the Holodomor, the deportation of Crimean …

Genocidal Antibosnianism: A Review, Marko Hoare

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

A book review of Rusmir Mahmutćehajić's Genocidsko antibosanstvo [Genocidal Antibosniansim], Sarajevo: ”Dobra knjiga,” Sarajevo, 2024, 321 pp., hbk, 55 BAM, ISBN 9789926260385

Role And Evolution Of Islamic Education In Kazakhstan, Yeleukhan Kaliyeva, Albina Duissenbayeva, Aııtmamat Karıev, Bekzhan A. Azhimov

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This paper examines the evolution of religious education and the professional development of clergy in Kazakhstan, with particular emphasis on the establishment of institutions aimed at enhancing the competencies of imams and religious educators. It traces the evolution of the Islamic educational system throughout various historical periods until the present day. Particular focus is given to blending Islamic teachings with contemporary educational structures. The researchers heuristically analyzed the current state of the field, identified the main problems, and suggested prospects for Islamic education for further development. The research utilizes the historical method, which uses primary and secondary data sources. This …

The Spiritual Foundations Of An Unbreakable Ukraine During The War, Olena Rohova, Tetiana Lysokolenko, Iryna Karpan

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

An analysis of the spiritual foundations of the ability of Ukrainian society to resist the illegal military aggression of a country whose resources significantly exceed those of Ukraine. Ukraine’s unbreakability is connected to the dominant values and worldview of its representatives, which include spirituality responsible for the resiliency of individuals, the plasticity to perceive challenges of fate, and the responses of radical changes of being. The central idea of resiliency includes the revival of the most important religious, cultural, and historical factors of collective spirituality in Ukrainian society. The religious values introduced into the Ukrainian culture by Christianity as a …

Engraving Justice: Women's Names In Mosque Calligraphy, Zilka Spahić Šiljak

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Ideas Of The "Russian World" And Ukraine: Value Epicrises On The Ukrainian Orthodox Church Under The Moscow Patriarchate, Oleksandr Brodetskyi, Iryna Horokholinska

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Against the background of the identity, jurisdictional, and institutional crossroads in which contemporary Ukrainian Orthodoxy finds itself, the authors analyze the mental, value-related, and personal (linked to the “human factor”) influences in Ukraine of the destructive and militant ideology of the “Russian World” (Russkiy Mir), as well as the degree of involvement of leading functionaries of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the dissemination of these influences.

The article reveals the mechanisms of the corrosion of spirituality among the ecclesiastical elites of Russia and their satellites in Ukraine. This corrosion is manifested in the substitution of the Church’s …

The Religious Policy Of The Russian Empire In The Captured Territories Of The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (On The Example Of The Volyn Province At The End Of The 18th-The First Half Of The 19th Century), Andrii Shevchuk, Oksana Markevych

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The article investigates the peculiarities of the implementation of the religious policy of the Russian Empire in the territories that were captured as a result of the partitions of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, on the example of the Volyn province in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. The role of local administration, in particular governors, in the implementation of the imperial confessional policy and the mechanisms of integration of the Orthodox Church into the state apparatus are analyzed. It is established that after the November Uprising of 1830-1831, religious policy was radicalized, which manifested itself in the forced liquidation of …

Theology Of Creation In The Bulgarian Theology Of The 20th Century, Svetoslav Ribolov

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Theology of Creation in 20th-century Bulgaria emerged within the broader debate about the role of religious education in state schools and the tension between the prevailing influence of evolutionary theory and a scientific approach to the Orthodox Church’s traditional spiritual heritage. Before World War 2, the primary social and intellectual motivation behind the Theology of Creation in Bulgaria was rooted in an apologetic struggle against secular ideas, which were embraced by a significant portion of Bulgarian society at the time. In the second half of the 20th century, however, this discourse gradually evolved to incorporate more denominationally oriented theological perspectives, …

Frontmatter (Volume 45, Issue 1), Paul B. Mojzes

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Memory And Religious Identity In Ivan Iv’S Letters: Constructing Orthodox Kingship In Diplomatic Correspondence, Srđan M. Jovanović

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article examines the use of religious memory and identity in the diplomatic correspondence of Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible), particularly his letters to the Polish-Lithuanian nobility. Through a detailed analysis of these letters, the article demonstrates how Ivan IV invoked Orthodox Christian imagery, sacred history, and references to past Christian rulers to legitimize his reign and justify his political actions, such as military campaigns and territorial expansion. Ivan’s correspondence not only reflects his self-presentation as a divinely appointed ruler but also illustrates how religious rhetoric played a crucial role in constructing Orthodox kingship and shaping Russian national identity. The …

The Image Of Ukrainian Protestantism As An Attempt Of Self-Analysis: Results Of The Expert Survey 2018-2024, Maksym Balaklytskyi, Olga Polumysna

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The article examines the changes in Ukrainian Protestantism during 2018-2024 based on expert surveys. The authors explore the adaptive strategies of Protestant communities in response to the challenges of war and social transformations. The introduction of new forms of ministry, such as mobile churches, has supported believers in times of crisis. Particular attention is given to the consequences of the armed conflict, including community losses, infrastructure destruction, displacement of members, and the humanitarian activities of churches. The role of Protestant communities in enhancing Ukraine’s social resilience is highlighted, along with the importance of the legislative recognition of chaplains, which legitimizes …

Ukrainian Scientists In The War: Surviving And Being Useful, Nataliia Ishchuk

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

"Russia’s war against Ukraine, which began in 2014 and escalated with the full-scale invasion in 2022, has wrought profound and tragic changes in Ukrainian society. The impact on scholars and university educators has been particularly significant, as they face numerous challenges affecting their safety, personal lives, and professional activities...Currently, the majority of scholars and university educators remain in Ukraine. Their conscious decision to endure the hardships of war alongside their people reflects their deep commitment to their homeland."

The Military's Constitutional Role, Brenner M. Fissell

Faculty Publications

A basic principle of the American constitutional order is that civilian authority must be supreme over that of the military. The violation of this principle by the British was one of the grievances enumerated in the Declaration of Independence, and the Framers responded with a Constitution that made military rule impossible. But why is so-called “civilian control” of the military so important? This deep normative question has yet to be thoroughly answered by scholars, most of who assume it away as a given. This Article takes up that task, using contemporary political theory to defend the principle of civilian control. …

A Critical Examination Of First-Generation Faculty Scholarship: Demonstrating The Need For Intersectional, Empirical Analysis, Derria Byrd, Noreen Siddiqui

College of Education Faculty Research and Publications

The triumphs, tribulations, and trials associated with first-generation status during the undergraduate years are well-established in educational research; however, limited scholarship systematically investigates the dispositions, experiences, and practices of first-generation faculty (FGF)—that is, former first-generation college students who have joined the professoriate. In this critical review of literature, the authors identified and analyzed 173 sources, uncovering five dominant themes—(a) negotiating a discordant culture, (b) reframing success, (c) relating to family, (d) seeking social networks, and (e) leveraging identity—that provide insights into how FGF navigate the social, cultural, and professional norms of the academy. Despite recent expansions that center FGF of …

Using A Community-Engaged Research Approach To Prioritize Self-Management Needs Of Adults With Sickle Cell Disease, Nadine Matthie, Maryellen Potts, Kristin Haglund, Elodie Ontala, Lee Za Ong, Weneaka D. Jones, Elizabeth Devries, Dora L. Clayton-Jones

College of Education Faculty Research and Publications

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common blood disorder in the United States. Self-management is vital for mitigating sickle cell symptoms. However, limited research has reported self-identified priorities and needs for self-management among adults living with SCD, and few researchers have used a community-engaged research approach.

Objectives: We conducted community-engaged, qualitative research to learn about self-management needs among adults living with SCD.

Methods: Focus groups were conducted among adults with SCD and stakeholders in the SCD community (parents of adults with SCD and healthcare providers). A qualitative descriptive design and thematic analysis were employed.

Results: Four focus groups …

Masthead, South Dakota Law Review

South Dakota Law Review

No abstract provided.

Title Page, South Dakota Law Review

South Dakota Law Review

No abstract provided.

Fy 2025 Budget, Tennessee. Emergency Communications Board., Tennessee. Department Of Commerce And Insurance

Financial Reports

No abstract provided.

Fy 2025 Financial Report - November, Tennessee. Emergency Communications Board., Tennessee. Department Of Commerce And Insurance

Financial Reports

No abstract provided.

Fy 2025 Financial Report - January, Tennessee. Emergency Communications Board., Tennessee. Department Of Commerce And Insurance

Financial Reports

No abstract provided.

Procedural Terrain Generation: Noise Functions, Modern Methods, And Style Transfer, Hunter Barton

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Procedural terrain generation, the algorithmic creation of digital terrain, finds use in multiple types of digital media. As the capabilities of modern computation increase, the ability to create more and more realistic terrains fully procedurally at scale improves. Modern methods of procedural generation have also overlapped with these advances, most notably advances in hardware. To account for this, a survey was done of modern methods for procedural terrain generation. Smooth procedural noise functions are one of the backbones of procedural terrain generation. Perlin noise, value noise, and fractal noise were explored in-depth. These noise functions were also tested for capabilities …

The Effects Of Salinity On The Cutaneous Microbiome And Pathogen Infection On The Pacific Tree Frog (Pseudacris Regilla) In Monterey Bay, California, Usa, Hannah Eunhae Kim

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Global climate change and infectious diseases are considered a leading cause of amphibian population declines worldwide. Changes in precipitation and salinity have altered watershed systems and microbial communities, reducing habitat availability and physiological performances for amphibian survival. The salt refuge hypothesis, however, is a proposed explanation that higher saline environments may reduce susceptibility to pathogens such as Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). The Moro Cojo Slough State Marine Reserve (MCSSMR) (California, USA) is known as an abundant breeding ground for endangered/threatened amphibian species. To test and expand the salt refuge hypothesis, I evaluated Bd prevalence and intensity and the cutaneous microbiome of …

Time And Flesh: Exploring The Embodied Experiences Of Black Mothers, Amber Tucker

Social and Cultural Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Drawing on Black feminist theories of intersectionality and concepts of temporality and embodiment, this study centers Black girlhood to understand Black girls embodied journeys of “becoming” Black women. Findings revealed that: (a) Black girls often have complicated histories that lead to constrained and liberatory choices in adulthood and motherhood; (b) becoming a Black woman involves continual adaptations to temporal and historical contexts; and (c) Black motherhood is a contested space, deeply shaped by remembering Black girlhood and navigating maternal responses to legacies of harm. This study highlights the challenges and strengths in the transitory states of Black womanhood.

Pseudo-Vampires In The Nineteenth-Century English Vampire Canon: Draining Life Force By Class, Matt Tanner

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

No abstract provided.

Death By Design: A Biological Approach To Container Security, Alexander Hunter Moomaw

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Microservice architectures are central to modern cloud computing and have become the dominant design pattern for scalable, distributed applications. Kubernetes is often the tool used for rapid deployment and orchestration of microservices. A known issue for large networks clusters is a malicious actor can compromise a vulnerable cluster in minutes. Their ability to quickly compromise vulnerable clusters highlights the urgent need for stronger security. This project views cluster defense through a preemptive security lens, introducing the Cluster Life cycle Management System (CLMS). Inspired by the biological process of apoptosis, CLMS systematically replaces aging containers and services to prevent exploitation of …