The religious factor in the formation of the Rusin ethnic identity in the Balkans

The article reveals the role of the religious factor in the life of the Ukrainian-Rusin diaspora in Yugoslavia. Since the relocation in the middle of the 18th century and up to now, the vast majority of the Ukrainian-Rusin diaspora has remained loyal to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. For Ukrainians and Rusins, the Greek Catholic faith has a clear national orientation. Religious rituals closely intertwound with national traditions; therefore the church raised not only religious, but also national consciousness. The religious life of Ukrainians-Rusins in Yugoslavia before World War II also knew unpleasant moments, generated by the opposition between the Greek Catholics and other confessions. The life of the religious community of Yugoslavian Ukrainians was quite difficult during the period from the 1940s to the early 1990s. However, most of the problems were fixed, with churches restored, new parishes opened, cultural and educational activities organised by churches. It was possible due to the initiative of a small group of activists in a particular Ukrainian-Rusinian center. Subsequently, such ideas were supported by the entire Ukrainian community, which helped to cherish and preserve the national-religious identity.

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