Religious Activity and Religious Outlook of Ukrainians in the Conditions of the Introduction of the new Soviet Ritual: the іn Years of Khrushchev Khrushchev’s «Thaw» and the Deployment of Brezhnev Brezhnev’s «Stagnation»

Abstract

The focus of this article is the study of the desire of Ukrainians to preserve their own national and spiritual identity in the process of the implementation of the CPSU – СPU of the new Soviet ritualism during the 60’s – 70’s of the twentieth century. Research methodology. During the research, such scientific methods as analytical-logical, historical-systemic, explanation, search, synthesis, comparison and complex selection were applied. The work also used the method of analysis is to find out the level of growth of national consciousness of Ukrainians. Scientific novelty. The article proves that despite the anti-religious policy of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union – the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, the planting of the «new Soviet ritualism», the ancient church and religious traditions and customs of the Ukrainian people continued to be a part of the everyday culture of Ukrainians. Conclusions. So, the new rites became another «brick» laid by the communists in the stronghold of denationalization and sovietization of the Ukrainian ethnic group. New Soviet holidays were officially opposed to religious holidays. However, the percentage of supporters of church rites of weddings, baptisms and burials among the titular nation of the Ukrainian SSR remained quite high. The religious activity of representatives of the Ukrainian ethnic group was especially observed during the celebration of Christmas, Epiphany, Easter and other church holidays. And although the number of adherents of religious rites in the republic was different – from less in the East to more in the West, Christian values, despite atheism, continued to be the basis of the spiritual life of the absolute majority of Ukrainians.