The formation of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church during the Second World War (on materials NMIU and TSDAVO of Ukraine)

Abstract

An attempt to explore the preconditions for occurrence, peculiarities of formation
and activity of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church headed by Metropolitan
Polikarp Sikorski during the Second World War is made. The features of the emergence
of an Autonomous Orthodox Church headed by Metropolitan Alexey Gromadski during
this period are reviewed. The dynamics of inter-Church relationship between the UAOC
and the AOC in the period of occupation are traced. The difference of the positions of
Metropolitan Polikarp Sikorski and of the Metropolitan Alexei Gromadski regarding the
future of Ukrainian Orthodoxy is showcased. The features of the ecclesiastical policy of the
occupation authorities towards the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church are analyzed.
The ecclesial and religious activities of the UAOC in emigration in the postwar period are
demonstrated. Attention is focused on materials from the collection of the National Museum
of history of Ukraine, which are related to the topic being studied and can be used in the
exposition and exhibition projects.
Keywords: Autocephalous Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Autonomous Orthodox
Church, Metropolitan, World War II, occupied Ukrainian lands, National history museum
of Ukraine