UKRAINIAN PARISH PRIESTS IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE HOLODOMOR OF 1932 – 1933

Abstract

Author describes realities of parish priests of Orthodox churches of Ukraine during the Holodomor. It is explained why the priests became the main target of the authorities and what was the specificity of their position. Author shows that they were the main part of the clergy, which bore the brunt of the Bolsheviks’ starvation policy. Author paid attention to the aspects of regional features of the pressure of the authorities on the clergy. He represents specific facts about the authorities’ deliberate, purposeful blocking of the social activity of priests by means of legal, economic, administrative pressure and political terror. Author determines factors of selective attitude towards priests. It is emphasized that the purposeful actions of the authorities were the determining factor for the continuation of priestly service and the preservation of their lives. The thesis is substantiated that the government’s blocking of priestly ministry became one of the main reasons for the termination of the activities of religious communities. The priests’ search for survival strategies is highlighted - appeals to the church leadership and state authorities, refusal of spiritual rank, social mimicry, migration. Author shows that the Orthodox denominations systematically resisted the attack on the rights of priests: the higher leadership of the churches personally appealed to the highest state authorities to protect the rights of parish priests. Author noted denominational affiliation of Orthodox priests. Moscow’s desire to destroy the Ukrainian political opposition, which the Kremlin saw as an integral part of the autocephaly of the Ukrainian church and the independence aspirations of its priests, is emphasized as key. Author provides deeper examination of issues raised in modern historiography regarding the forms, scales and dynamics of government pressure on priests.