author: Andrii Atroshchenko
Relevance of the research is driven by the need to address the spiritual needs of a society that is in the process of searching for ideals and models of self-realization within the new conditions of the global interactive space. Fundamental socio-political transformations occurring recently in the Ukrainian state have actualized interest in the events surrounding the restoration of autocephaly and the possibility of establishing a local (pomisna) Orthodox Church in Ukraine.
Problem statement. There is an undeniable interest among researchers in the influence of general socio-political processes on the transformation of Orthodox institutions associated with the collapse of the atheistic Soviet state and the proclamation of Ukraine's independence. In our time, this issue carries not only theoretical but also significant practical importance, given its potential impact on the course of social life both globally and in Ukraine.
Analysis of recent research and publications. Conceptually, the following works are crucial for addressing the research objectives: studies by leading Ukrainian religious scholars such as M. Babiy, I. Bogachevska, V. Bondarenko, O. Brodetskyi, T. Vysotska, I. Horokholinska, V. Yelenskyi, S. Zdioruk, N. Ishchuk, A. Kyslyi, A. Kolodnyi, N. Kochan, V. Lyubashchenko, O. Sagan, L. Fylypovych, Yu. Chornomorets, S. Shkil, A. Yurash, and others; as well as works by contemporary Orthodox philosophers, theologians, and priests: Aristotle Papanikolaou, David Hart, John Panteleimon Manoussakis, John Zizioulas, Cyril Hovorun, Pantelis Kalaitzidis, and Christos Yannaras.
Research task. The purpose of the work is to identify the socio-political factors in the formation of Orthodox autocephaly and to clarify the practical experience of the maturation of autocephalous churches within Ecumenical Orthodoxy, which will allow for a better understanding of the prospects of the Orthodox Church in the realities of modern Ukraine.
Main material presentation. The formation of the idea of autocephaly is examined, which emerged alongside the first Christian communities. Their main features were defined as territorial and administrative separation from other Orthodox churches combined with universal church unity in the Eucharist. The formation of autocephalous churches is traced as a socio-political phenomenon in the history of world empires and nation-states. Socio-political factors in the history of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the peculiarities of the recognition of a local autocephalous Orthodox Church in Ukraine under modern geopolitical conditions are analyzed.
Conclusions. The issue of Orthodox autocephaly has always carried not only an ecclesial but also a political subtext, depending on the power-political actions of state leadership. While formally being an internal church act, autocephaly—beyond its canonical and symbolic meaning—has always held great state-political and geopolitical significance. The proclamation of autocephaly and the granting of the Tomos by the Ecumenical Patriarch to the Orthodox Church in Ukraine is a unique phenomenon in the modern Orthodox world and the formation of Ukraine as an independent state.
Keywords: autocephaly, Orthodox Church in Ukraine, political theology, Eucharist, state-church relations.
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