Characteristic features of Christianity of the twentieth century were the consolidation of his denominations around social problems and holding inter-Christian theological and missionary conferences. These components of Christian history of the last century are connected with ecumenism. Ecumenism, in turn, influenced the initiation of a dialogue between Christianity and other religions, most notably Judaism and Islam. Thus, a comprehensive study of ecumenism will not only enable us to better understand contemporary Christianity and try to predict further ways of its development, (...) but also on the basis of it to understand the inter-religious dialogue, which largely depends on the future of the world community. (shrink)

The growth of the religious network, the pluralisation of religious life, the desecularization of the Ukrainian society, and the increase in the number of citizens who identify with one of the religions or consider themselves believers, are pressing questions about the development of interfaith relations. "Religious Revival" in Ukraine in the early 1990s. was accompanied by conflicts between believers and religious organizations on religious property, spheres of influence, development of infrastructure, quantitative increase of the flock, and affirmation in society. It (...) is safe to say that in Ukraine there were dialectically opposite to ecumenical processes - disintegration in the Orthodox environment and conflicts between Catholics and Orthodox. American religious scholar Joseph Loy called the current situation in Western Ukraine "ecumenical Chornobyl" because it was a "catastrophe" in Catholic-Orthodox relations in the 1990s. polluted the "atmosphere of inter-church relations around the ecumenical world.". (shrink)

The growth of the religious network, the pluralisation of religious life, the desecularization of the Ukrainian society, and the increase in the number of citizens who do not identify with one of the religions or believe themselves to be religious, raise the issue of the development of interfaith relations. "Religious Revival" in Ukraine in the Beginning of the 1990s. it was accompanied by conflicts between believers and religious organizations for religious property, spheres of influence, infrastructure development, quantitative expansion of the (...) flock, and affirmation in society. It is safe to say that in Ukraine there were dialectically opposite to ecumenical processes - disintegration in the Orthodox environment and conflicts between Catholics and Orthodox. American religious scholar Joseph Loy called the current situation in Western Ukraine an "ecumenical Chornobyl" because it was a "catastrophe" in Catholic-Orthodox relations in the 1990s. polluted the "atmosphere of inter-church relations around the ecumenical world.". (shrink)

One of the main characteristics of the history of Christianity of the twentieth century. one can confidently call the attraction of different churches and denominations to convergence within the ecumenical movement. The purpose of this movement is Christian unity, but despite some success, it has not been achieved. Not only the difference in Christian dogma and vision of spiritual life, but also the conceptual understanding of unity played a role here.

In the article of O. Kyselov «Mykola Zakovych as a Theoretician of Ritualism» the academic works of the Soviet period of professor Mykola Zakovych devoted to ritualism are examined. The author explores definitions of key concepts and correlation between rituals and similar phenomena – ceremony, festival, tradition, and custom. It is noted that professor Zakovych often wrote not just about rites, but about “rites and festivals” because rites were integral part of festivals. The author of the article pays his attention (...) to the problem of the evolution of ritualism and its understanding through the categories of “form” and “substance”. The place of religious rites in the evolution of ritualism and its critique are paid examined. Zakovych was one of the first scholars who focused on aesthetical and psychological effect of religious rites. The article revealed Zakovych’s explanation of the short-lasting “red ritualism” in the 1920’s.. Zakovych’s understanding of Soviet ritualism and its atheistic function are observed. The author of the article concludes that Zakovych’s academic works could be actualized not only in the academic study of religion but in the governmental policy of Ukraine as well. (shrink)

The problem of religious education is not new to Ukrainian religious studies. The latter was raised in connection with the decree of the Minister of Education and Science on the introduction of the subject "Theology" in higher educational establishments of Ukraine. However, as is often the case in Ukraine, the decree remained only on paper. At the same time, the topic of religious education was discussed in various circles in the circles of religious scholars. Now they are discussing this again. (...) And these discussions are of a different nature, since the desire of the President without serious public discussion was started by the Ministry of Education and Science: since September 1 this academic year the course "Ethics of Faith" has already been introduced in some public schools in Ukraine. Discussions and controversies are already heard in parallel with the decision made and can actually change only the content of the subject, but not the decision on its teaching. That is, it is still debatable that children should be taught in public schools, but the fact that if a new subject does not appear on September 1, there will be almost no doubt after the new year. (shrink)

У статті аналізується науково-дослідна діяльність відділу наукового атеїзму Інституту філософії АН УРСР. Автор на основі архівного матеріалу розглядає основну тематику відділу, а також показує, як вона формувалась. У статті розглянуто й прикладні дослідження відділу, що були пов’язані з вивченням релігійної ситуації на підприємствах та вироблення практичних рекомендацій щодо підвищення ефективності атеїстичного виховання. З’ясовано, що серед дослідницьких розробок відділу були кон’юнктурні теми та теми на замовлення партійних органів. Автор доходить висновку, що пропагандистська складова в діяльності цього відділу якщо й не домінувала (...) над дослідницькою в діяльності київського відділу, то принаймні мала на неї значний вплив. (shrink)

Today, the world is a polycivilizational, multicultural, multinational, and polyreligious conglomerate. The process of globalization, which covered almost all spheres of human life, made it possible to increase the number of meetings of representatives of different national, cultural and religions of their identities. Actually, the future of all humanity depends on the nature of these meetings.