DYNAMICS OF RELIGIOUS IDENTITY IN UKRAINE OVER THE LAST DECADE

Abstract

In the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war, preserving national and cultural identity is the most crucial task for the Ukrainian state. Religious identity is a significant element of national identity and a tool for mobilizing the population. Analyzing changes in religious identity helps uncover and analyze cultural and social transformations in society, as well as their impact on people's perceptions and behaviors. The study of religious identity reveals its role in the emergence of conflicts and the potential to promote tolerance and interreligious dialogue. This article is dedicated to exploring the dynamics of religious identity among Ukrainians. Special emphasis is placed on the Orthodox confessional landscape and its dynamics during the period from 2013 to 2023. Based on the analysis of trends, statistical, and sociological data, the authors of the article examine key aspects of changes in the religious landscape in Ukraine. Focusing on political, social, and cultural changes in society, the authors explore the impact of these factors on the formation of religious beliefs and practices among the population.
The authors conclude that religious identity plays a crucial role in the lives of both individuals and society as a whole, influencing various aspects of social, cultural, and political life. Religious identity plays an important role in the processes of forming national consciousness and consolidating the Ukrainian people, contributing to the formation of a sense of community and unity around shared values and traditions. Over the past decade, the religious identity of Ukrainians has been able to reflect a wide range of changes and trends occurring in society. The contemporary religious landscape is the result of a long-term formation process that is constantly changing under the influence of various life circumstances. However, crises, conflicts, and wars accelerate these changes, stimulating the evolution of religious experience and doctrine.