The orthodox episcopate of Ukraine in the conditions of Khrushchev's anti-religious campaign

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to clarify the features of the functioning and reaction of the Orthodox episcopate of the Ukrainian Exarchate to the challenges of Khrushchev's anti-religious campaign, to analyse its strategies of adaptation, resistance or cooperation with the Soviet authorities, as well as to determine the impact of these processes on the position of the Church. The research methodology is based on the principles of historicism, objectivity, systematicity and an interdisciplinary approach. The author adheres to the concept of microhistory and personalised history, focusing on the specific actions and reactions of representatives of the episcopate in the conditions of Soviet anti-religious policy. The main methods of the study were historical and comparative, chronological, biographical, and source analysis. The scientific novelty lies in the fact that the Orthodox episcopate of the Ukrainian Exarchate during Khrushchev's anti-religious campaign became the object of a separate scientific study for the first time. Conclusions. The Orthodox episcopate of Ukraine during the Khrushchev anti-religious campaign was in an extremely difficult position, balancing between official loyalty to the regime and attempts to preserve church life, spiritual tradition and internal unity of the Church. Although state policy radically influenced its activities, the bishops continued to fulfil their pastoral duties, trying to adapt to new conditions. The episcopate was heterogeneous in its actions and approaches to confrontation or cooperation with the authorities. Changes in church administration introduced in 1961 formally weakened the canonical authority of bishops over parishes. However, spiritual guidance, pastoral missions, and the informal support of parishes remained the sphere of active service for Ukrainian bishops. A significant role in the position of the bishops of the Ukrainian Exarchate was played by the active intervention of the KGB in the personnel policy of the Russian Orthodox Church. However, not all secret service agents behaved as executors of external will – some sought to use their position to protect the Church and develop a spiritual life.