Przyczyny absorpcji prawosławia na Łemkowszczyźnie w okresie dwudziestolecia międzywojennego
The orthodoxy’s absorption process among Lemkos during interwar period

Summary/Abstract: Since the begging of 20th century amongst Ruthenian highlanders (usually called Lemkos) massive movement of changing creed from Greek catholic to orthodoxy started. This movement, often called „religious war in the mountains”, which had a boiling point in the late twenties of 20th century during so called the „Tylawska schism” was a very complicated process caused by few different factors. One of the most important cause were internal problems of Greek catholic Church like i.e. nationalization (ukarinization) which provoked aversion between conservative Lemkos, who had determined ethnic identity as Ruthenians (non Ukrainians). Other internal problem was question of arbitrary changeless in liturgical services made by Greek catholic priests and also a efforts of uniate hierarchy to enter celibacy. Other causes that could be pointed were missionary work of orthodoxy Church, firstly by Moscow Patriarchate and by Polish Autocephalous Orthodoxy Church and social and political factors. Under idea of social factor author understands Lemkos’ poverty that forced numerous group of them to emigration to the USA or Canada where they found their self under the influence of orthodoxy church and usually changed creed. Afterwards they were supporting schismatic missionary work with money and publications that they were sending from America. Also important was position of the Polish authorities, which have support orthodoxy’s progresses, taking them as a chance for Lemkos’ polonization.

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