Religion Commons^™

Orthodoxy, Culture And Language: Alaska In Russia’S Religious Diplomacy Of The 21st Century, Oleksandr Lukyanenko

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The article is devoted to the analysis of the religious factor of the Russian foreign diplomacy in the light of Vladimir Putin’s high-profile visit to Alaska n August 15, 2025. The paper studies a special place of Alaska in the historical imagination of Russian political and church discourse. The status of this particular territory in Russian state worldview – the former “Russian America” – is indicative: it refers to the idea of an unfinished imperial legacy. The research doesn’t touch a main event that included a meeting with US President Donald Trump but an off-schedule meeting with Archbishop Alexei (Trader) …

Spiritual Music As A Factor Of Religious Identity In Ukrainian Orthodoxy, Oleh Sokolovskyi, Maksym Melnychuk, Sviatoslav Melnychuk

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This scholarly article explores current challenges and spiritual-cultural trends arising in the context of historical events and civilizational transformations experienced by modern Ukraine. The study focuses on the revival of authentic traditions of sacred musical art within Ukrainian Orthodoxy, regarded as one of the fundamental factors in the formation of national identity. Within an interdisciplinary approach that combines religious studies, philosophy, art history, and cultural studies, the research analyzes the musical sacredness as a phenomenon of numinous experience imbued with transcendental meaning and cathartic energy. It is established that the spiritual music of the Orthodox tradition functions as a form …

The Orthodox Parish And Community: A Reflection On The Post-Totalitarian Model Of Identity In Bulgaria, Presb. Sava (Shtoni) Kokoudev

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The article examines parish multifaceted identities and its function as a Eucharistic community, while also exploring its cultural, and historical influences in post-totalitarian context. The study delineates two identities and ecclesiological models—liturgical and institutional—to facilitate comparative analysis. The confusion and mixture of these models has caused a loss of parish community identity and function, which is evident in contemporary post-totalitarian status quo. Important issue is the restoration of the Orthodox Church’s authentic catholic identity (ɫɴɛɨɪɧɨɫɬ). This predicament gives rise to the second challenge of revitalizing liturgical life in parishes and reestablishing communion between bishops, priests, and laypeople. It also necessitates …

The Idea Of A Just Peace In Christian Social Ethics And The Possibility Of Its Implementation In The Context Of The Russian-Ukrainian War, Iryna Fenno

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This research examines the concept of just peace, which is most often discussed in the public sphere, particularly among political and religious circles, in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war. After analyzing Christian discourse on war and peace—including extreme pacifism, the idea of a just war, and just peacemaking—the author argues that the idea of a just peace is the most effective response. Through an analysis of sociological surveys, the article reveals Ukrainian society's attitudes toward the idea of just peace and demonstrates a direct correlation between these attitudes and political events on the international stage. Nevertheless, the mechanisms and …

The Paradoxical Effect: How Destruction Of Religious Buildings In Ukraine Undermined Russian Propaganda Narratives (2022-2024), Oleksandr Kostiuk, Fedir Vlasenko, Vitalii Turenko

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This research examines the paradoxical relationship between the destruction of religious buildings in Ukraine during the Russian invasion and the effectiveness of Russian propaganda narratives. Using a mixed-methods approach combining statistical data, sociological surveys, and document analysis, we investigate how the systematic targeting of Ukrainian religious sites by Russian forces has produced effects contrary to those likely intended. The research reveals that instead of undermining Ukrainian national identity, the destruction of churches and other religious buildings has catalyzed profound transformations in Ukraine's religious landscape, accelerated the transition of parishes from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) to the Orthodox Church …

The Canonical Status Of The Serbian Patriarch In The Statute Of The Macedonian Orthodox Church From 1960 And Its Differing Interpretations By The Two Churches, Ivan Yovchev

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

After lengthy negotiations that began in the 1940s between the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) and the Macedonian Orthodox Church (MOC) regarding the latter’s autocephaly, the Holy Synod of the SOC initially rejected the decisions of the Initiative Council for the formation of the Macedonian Church. However, at a later stage, the SOC revised its stance, and by 1959, it not only recognized the existence of the Macedonian Church but also granted it the right to independent organization and governance in the form of autonomy. The recognized autonomy of the MOC was met with mixed reactions among Macedonian church leaders. The …

Ukrainian Orthodox Church Clerics And Activists Under Suspicion, Under Investigation, Sanctioned, Detained, And/Or Convicted For Collaboration With Russia Or For Promotion Of Russian War Narratives, Mark R. Elliott

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The Context

On August 20, 2024, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed Bill #8371, “On the Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Sphere of Activity of Religious Organizations,” passed by the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s legislature. As a measure of wartime national security its provisions include a ban on the staunchly pro-Putin Russian Orthodox Church. It also requires the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), historically subordinate to the Moscow Patriarchate, to sever all ties with its parent church and to prevent its congregations from abetting the Russian war effort against Ukraine.

Faith On The Frontlines: Exploring The Religiosity Of Ukrainian Soldiers During War, Alexander Karlsson

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Wartime religiosity among Ukrainian Christian soldiers reveals a spectrum of spiritual responses shaped by personal experience, cultural identity, and institutional dynamics. Interview-based evidence indicates that war influences religious engagement in diverse and often contradictory ways. For many, religiosity intensifies during moments of danger, functioning more as a coping mechanism than a transformation of belief. Institutional realignment may also reflect broader socio-political changes, as soldiers gravitate toward religious communities that resonate with their evolving values. For some, the adoption of Norse mythology illustrates the fluidity and adaptability of religious identity in wartime. Simultaneously, confrontations with theodicy may give rise to both …

Religious Situation In The Occupied Territory Of Donetsk Region, Roman Dodonov, Andrii Fesenko, Volodymyr Glazunov, Igor Kapritsyn, Olesia Stoliarchuk

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The article is devoted to the analysis of dynamics of the religious situation and its impact on the population of the temporarily occupied territory of the Donetsk region in the period from 2014 to 2024. When analyzing the religious situation in the occupied territory, it should be borne in mind that after the beginning of the armed conflict in the Donetsk region, the territory under the control of anti-Ukrainian forces has been constantly changing. The study of the peculiarities of religious processes in the Donetsk region in the light of occupation reveals not only aspects of politics and socio-cultural dynamics, …

Hybrid War: The Influence Of The Russian Orthodox Church On The Ukrainian Media, Oksana Lytvynchuk, Andrii Shevchuk, Zoriana Hrytsyshena

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article examines the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) as a key instrument of hybrid warfare against Ukraine. It analyzes the ROC's primary strategies for influencing Ukraine's information space, particularly through religious rhetoric manipulation and the exploitation of ecclesiastical structures to disseminate pro-Kremlin narratives. The study identifies key mechanisms of the ROC's media influence, including direct control over religious media outlets, active participation of clergy in promoting Russian propaganda narratives, financial backing of pro-Russian media projects, and systematic disinformation campaigns about Ukraine's religious landscape.

Key findings demonstrate the destructive consequences of this hybrid warfare: exacerbation of interfaith tensions leading to societal …

Catholic Social Services In Ukraine During The Current War Against Ukraine, Olga Nedavnya

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article examines the organization and content of the social work of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) and the Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine (RCC in Ukraine) during the ongoing war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. The application of the social services of these Churches, its performers and beneficiaries, and the features of the implementation of humanitarian charity in wartime are identified. In the UGCC, social work is supervised by its Department of Social Service, in the RCC in Ukraine by the Caritas-Spes Commission, and the relevant practical activity is carried out mainly through the specific Catholic organizations …

The Bhagavad Gita And The Attitude Of Contemporary Ukrainian Krishna Devotees Towards The Issue Of War And Peace, Vitalii Matvieiev, Olga Dobrodum, Mykola Palinchak, Olena Hudzenko

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The article deals with the main philosophical and ethical provisions of the Bhagavad-Gita, a sacred text, which is a part of the Indian epic Mahabharata. A special place is given to the issues related to life, death, fulfillment of duty, i.e., following one’s dharma, which should result in spiritual perfection and liberation from samsara (the cycle of death and birth). The central element of the Bhagavad-Gita is the discussion of the problems of war and peace, presented through the dialog between Prince Arjuna and the god Krishna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. The authors of the article …

Religious Faith In The Context Of The Russian-Ukrainian War: Challenges And Risks, Olena Predko, Mykola Ptytsia

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article examines the role of religious faith in the context of the russian-Ukrainian war, its impact on society, and the challenges and risks faced by religious communities and believers. The study analyzes how the war brings the issue of religious faith-seeking to the forefront, its semantic nuances, and how it transforms religious identity and the level of religiosity among the population. Special attention is given to the use of religious faith in hybrid warfare, the issue of spiritual support for both military personnel and civilians, as well as the risks associated with the politicization of religious life. The article …

Study Of Religious Experience Using The Introspection Method: Case Of Estonia, Siim Nigulas, Tõnu Lehtsaar

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article revisits the method of introspection as a valuable tool for studying religious experience in Estonia, where spirituality is often personal, unaffiliated, and deeply introspective. Drawing on the legacy of the Dorpat school—particularly Karl Girgensohn—it highlights how experimental introspection can illuminate the dimensions of faith. Considering Estonia’s post-Soviet religious individualization, the method offers a culturally fitting and academically rigorous approach. The study argues for the revival and adaptation of introspective techniques to explore the inner dynamics of belief in a secular yet spiritually curious society.

Introduction Of Clinical Pastoral Education In Ukraine: The Experience Of The Volyn Orthodox Theological Academy, Vladyslav Fulmes, Volodymyr Vakin, Oleksandr Khoroshko

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Medical chaplaincy is an important component in many countries, as it helps to ensure a holistic approach to treatment, taking into account the spiritual needs of patients. The relevance of this direction was due to the invasion of russian troops on the territory of Ukraine back in 2014, and in the conditions of a full-scale war in Ukraine, the role of medical chaplaincy has increased significantly. This article reveals the experience of the Volyn Orthodox Theological Academy (Lutsk, Ukraine) in training medical chaplains, which was the first in Ukraine, responding to social challenges, in particular health care institutions, to develop …

Lutsk-Zhytomyr Roman Catholic Diocese During The First World War: Charitable And Socio-Political Activities, Olga Bilobrovets, Oleh Sokolovskyi

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The activities of the Roman Catholic Church were an important factor in preserving and reviving the national identity of the Polish minority in Volyn under the conditions of the Russification and discriminatory policies of the Russian autocracy during the First World War. The Catholic clergy actively worked to aid the Polish population and refugees affected by the war. During the First World War, the Roman Catholic clergy of the Lutsk-Zhytomyr diocese, together with the majority of the Polish population in Ukraine, provided significant aid to war victims and refugees from the Kingdom of Poland and Galicia. Catholic churches collected funds …

The Russian-Ukrainian War In The Discourse Of The Biblical Concept Of A Just War, Vadym Dyiak, Klavdiia Tushko, Vladyslav Volobuiev

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The article analyzes the russian-Ukrainian war through the prism of the biblical concept of a just war. The moral and ethical aspects of the war are explored based on biblical principles, such as the defense of truth, justice, and the innocent. The article compares traditional approaches to the concept of a just war with modern realities, including the russian aggression against Ukraine. Particular attention is paid to the right to self-defense, the role of moral precepts in warfare, and the importance of humanitarian norms. The analysis of biblical texts helps to better understand the ethical justification of war as a …

The Constantinople Council Of 1872 And The Imposing Of The Bulgarian Schism, Stoycho (Stefan) Staikov

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The Revival of the Bulgarian people is closely connected with the publication of the Decree on February 27, 1870, which became the bearer of the people's desire and hope for the formation of a legal solution to the matter pertaining to the Bulgarian Church. The ecclesiastical rights of the Bulgarians, granted at first, nevertheless became the subject of claim and dispute between the newly established Exarchate and the Patriarch of Constantinople. A dispute in which the consistent policy of the Bulgarians, in defending the acquired rights and freedoms, supported by their notorious perseverance, played an important role in the struggle …

Strategies Of Religious Communication Of The Seventh-Day Adventist Church In The Context Of Russia’S War Against Ukraine, Valentyna Kuryliak Dr

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Abstract. The article examines the strategies of religious communication employed by the Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA) in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war. It discusses the transformation of approaches to religious activity through media platforms, particularly the “Nadiya” TV channel, which adapted its content to meet the audience's needs during the war. The article emphasizes the issue that while Adventist media typically maintain a neutral stance and refrain from commenting on military actions, they cannot remain detached from the realities of a society living in a state of war. The role of the “Nadiya” TV channel in providing psychological and …

Exchange Of Uoc-Mp Priests For Prisoners Of War In The Context Of National Security And Religious Relations, Liudmyla Shtanko, Igor Makarenko

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The exchange of UOC-MP priests for prisoners of war is a complex and multifaceted issue encompassing political, humanitarian, and religious dimensions, which have become particularly relevant in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine. On the one hand, the exchange of priests can be viewed as a humanitarian act aimed at liberating captured soldiers; on the other hand, it serves as a political maneuver that provokes conflicting sentiments among citizens and religious communities. Considering the situation with prisoners of war, Ukraine sought effective methods to secure the return of its citizens, including through the mechanism of exchanging UOC-MP priests. Although …

Analysis Of The Causes And Circumstances Of The Arrests Of Priests Of The Ukrainian Orthodox Church Of The Moscow Patriarchate, Iryna Steshyts, Volodymyr Suhoniak

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The analysis of the reasons and circumstances of the detentions of priests from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC MP) in the context of the military conflict shows that these events are a result of the interplay between the threat to Ukraine's national security, violations of religious and civil rights, and external political aspects of the war with Russia. The detentions of UOC MP priests occur due to public calls for cooperation with the occupation forces, the spread of pro-Russian propaganda, the justification of Russian aggression, illegal possession of weapons and ammunition, as well as espionage activities. …

Faith And Spiritual Renewal In Secular North Macedonia: The Pastoral Role Of The Macedonian Orthodox Church - The Archbishopric Of Ohrid In A Pluralistic Society, Borche Nikola Grambozov

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article explores the relationship between faith and social dynamics in secular North Macedonia, with a focus on the Macedonian Orthodox Church-Archbishopric of Ohrid’s role in shaping spiritual values, social ethics and individual transformation. Although Republic of North Macedonia is a secular state, the Church remains a vital institution, an essential spiritual presence, offering spiritual guidance and fostering ethical frameworks that transcend cultural or national affiliations. It highlights how religious beliefs intersect with the country’s diverse cultural landscape, with an emphasis on the Church’s pastoral mission – directed not toward national or cultural constructs, but toward the transformation of individual. …

Establishment Of The Macedonian Orthodox Church After World War Ii And The Reaction Of The Serbian Orthodox Church (Historical-Canonical Research), Ivan Yovchev

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The history of the Orthodox Church is abundant with examples of the emergence of Local Churches and their “path to the church diptychs.” Contemporary church history also provides numerous canonical cases of individual Local Churches striving for independence. Such efforts include those of the Orthodox faithful in the Republic of North Macedonia, who seek church recognition and independence in the organization and governance of their ecclesiastical diocese. The period examined in this article is marked by numerous events and dynamic developments that have significantly influenced the relationship between the Macedonian and Serbian Churches. The content of this article is primarily …

Old Victims, New Oppressors? Considering Postcolonial Social Conservatism Without Christianity In Central And Eastern Europe, Michal Opatrný

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

A significant part of societies in the states of Central and Eastern Europe openly reject the interconnection of Europe with the geopolitical, social and environmental problems of Africa, the Middle East, etc. Social conservativism without Christian belief is characteristic of this situation. Nevertheless, the churches and especially the representatives of the Catholic Church, often openly support these rejecting attitudes, i.e., by rejecting refugees, for example.

In the 20^th century, the Soviet Union and its internal supremacy of Russian nationalism heavily influenced this area. The postcolonial theory, together with the anti-oppressive theory, seems realistic to apply to this situation. In …

Humans Are Far Dearer Than Gold, Richard Gorban

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The author of the article proves that the genocidal war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine is aimed at the total destruction of both the Ukrainian nation and its culture, based on the methodological principle of actualizing biblical texts in the current circumstances and by selecting elements from the exhaustiveness of the content of the Book of Isaiah, the Prophet, which are able to reveal the ontological foundations of this war. It is the clash between the two incompatible experiences of existence: the existence of a human community in peace and that of a community in war. Ukraine has become …

Russian Culture: War Saturated And War Sanctified; Reflections On Russia, The Story Of War, Mark R. Elliott

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

A review of Gregory Carleton, Russia, The Story of War, (Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2017)

ISBN: ‎ 978-0674972483

Frontmatter (Volume 45, Issue 2), Paul B. Mojzes

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

Branko Sekulić, Penetration Into The Heart Of A Sacralized Crime (In Croatian: Prodor U Srce Sakraliziranog Zločina) Book Review, Vjekoslav Perica

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

A review of Branko Sekulić, Penetration into the Heart of a Sacralized Crime (in Croatian: Prodor u srce sakraliziranog zločina), Belgrade, Serbia: Biblioteka XX vek, 2024.

ISBN: 9788675621768

The Role Of Religious Associations Of Ukraine In The Development Of Civil Society, Oleh Sokolovskyi

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

In Ukraine, over the years of independence, a diverse religious environment has formed based on the legislatively guaranteed right to freedom of conscience and religion and the principle of religious pluralism. This environment consists not only of individual religious organizations but also of interfaith institutions, which play a significant role in Ukraine's development and contribute to resolving important societal issues. Their existence is compelling evidence of the church's strengthened position, the growing social role of religion, and the increased activity of religious organizations within Ukrainian society. Interfaith councils, which engage in a broad range of interests and activities, have facilitated …

Ukrainian Catholicism In A Time Of War And Ecclesial Debates, Valentyna Kuryliak Dr, Ivan Ostashchuk

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the diverse responses of Ukrainian Catholics–encompassing both influential individual voices and official church structures to two key contemporary challenges: the full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine and ongoing intra-church debates on issues of life, sexuality, and gender ideology. The analysis highlights inherent tensions and points of convergence between the universal teaching of the Catholic Church and the local experience of profound crisis. It demonstrates how believing communities navigate both external existential threats and internal doctrinal shifts, contributing to a deeper understanding of contemporary Catholic identity and mission in times of conflict.