Changes

=== Return to Communion with Rome and Russian Empire persecution  ===

=== Return to Communion with Rome and Russian Empire persecution  ===

[[File:St Josaphat Saint of Ruthenia.jpg|thumbnail|Saint Josaphat, Saint of Ruthenia, (1580-1623)]]

[[File:St Josaphat Saint of Ruthenia.jpg|thumbnail|Saint Josaphat, Saint of Ruthenia, (1580-1623)]]

The final step in the particularity of the Greek Catholic Church was the development of the [[Ukrainian language]] from the language of [[Kievan Rus]] between 1600 and 1800, a language that distinguished itself from Belarusian and Ruthenian.

The final step in the particularity of the Greek Catholic Church was the development of the [[Ukrainian language]] from the language of [[Kievan Rus]] between 1600 and 1800, a dialect that distinguished itself from [[Belarus]]ian and [[Ruthenia]]n.

During the 16th century, Ukrainian bishops decided to seek official support and protection from Rome. As Russian Orthodox propaganda infiltrated Ukraine, Polish Latinism was also gaining ground, and new sects were emerging, increasing the number of Protestants.

During the 16th century, Ukrainian speaking bishops turned to [[Moscow]] to seek official support and protection from [[Rome]]. As the Russian Orthodox Church spread westward, Polish Latinism from the east was gaining ground, and new sects were also emerging in rebellion against Rome, increasing the number of [[Protestant]]s.

This desire was achieved in 1596, when with the support of the [[List of monarchs of Poland|King of Poland]], [[Sigismund III Vasa]], the entire Ukrainian ecclesiastical hierarchy concluded the union with Rome, proclaiming the "official communion" between Kyiv and Rome at the [[Union of Brest]].

In 1596, when with the support of the [[List of monarchs of Poland|King of Poland]], [[Sigismund III Vasa]], the entire Ukrainian speaking ecclesiastical hierarchy concluded the union with Rome, proclaiming the "official communion" between Kiev and Rome at the [[Union of Brest]].

Empress [[Catherine II of Russia]] issued a decree on April 22, 1794, to remove all obstacles for the incorporation of the Uniates to Orthodoxy. The Metropolis of Kiev, with the eparchies of Lutsk and Ostroh, [[Eparchy of Volodymyr-Brest|Volodymyr-Brest]], Pinsk and Turaŭ, Polatsk and Smolensk, was abolished by the Russian authorities in 1798 after the disappearance of Poland as a result of the [[Partitions of Poland]] in 1772, 1793, and 1795. The part that remained under Russian control included the [[Right Bank of Ukraine]] and modern Belarus, while the eparchies of Lviv, Chełm (or Kholm), and Przemyśl ([[Eastern Galicia]]) remained under Austrian control (now part of Ukraine's Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and part of Ternopil oblasts). In 1798, the eparchies of Volodymyr-Brest, and of Lutsk and Ostroh were restored. The Polish uprising of 1806 allowed for the restoration of the metropolis based in Polatsk, but the tsar only accepted the name of "Metropolis of the Uniate Church in Russia" <ref name="encyclopediaofukraine_1">{{cite web |url=http://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?linkpath=pages%5CH%5CI%5CHistoryoftheUkrainianchurch.htm|title=History of the Ukrainian church}}</ref>. On September 26, 1808, the Pope transferred the primacy from the Metropolitan of Kiev-Halych and all Rus to the new Metropolitan of Lviv in the [[Austrian Empire]], whose suffragan eparchies were [[Ivano-Frankivsk]] and Przemyśl.

Empress [[Catherine II of Russia]] issued a decree on April 22, 1794, to remove all obstacles for the incorporation of the Uniates to [[Orthodoxy]]. The Metropolis of Kiev, with the eparchies of Lutsk and Ostroh, [[Eparchy of Volodymyr-Brest|Volodymyr-Brest]], Pinsk and Turaŭ, Polatsk and Smolensk, was abolished by the Russian authorities in 1798 after the disappearance of Poland as a result of the [[Partitions of Poland]] in 1772, 1793, and 1795. The part that remained under Russian control included the Right Bank of the [[Dnieper]] and modern Belarus, while the eparchies of Lvov, Chełm (or Kholm), and Przemyśl ([[Eastern Galicia]]) remained under the [[Austrian Empire]]'s control (now part of Ukraine's Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and part of Ternopil oblasts). In 1798, the eparchies of Volodymyr-Brest, and of Lutsk and Ostroh were restored. The Polish uprising of 1806 allowed for the restoration of the metropolis based in Polatsk, but the tsar only accepted the name of "Metropolis of the Uniate Church in Russia" <ref name="encyclopediaofukraine_1">{{cite web |url=http://www.encyclopediaofukraine.com/display.asp?linkpath=pages%5CH%5CI%5CHistoryoftheUkrainianchurch.htm|title=History of the Ukrainian church}}</ref>. On September 26, 1808, the Pope transferred the primacy from the Metropolitan of Kiev-Halych and all Rus to the new Metropolitan of [[Lemberg]] (Lvov) in the [[Austrian Empire]], whose suffragan eparchies were [[Ivano-Frankivsk]] and Przemyśl.

In the more eastern regions of [[Podolia]], the population mostly reverted to Orthodoxy. Initially, the Russian authorities were tolerant of the Greek Catholic Church and allowed it to operate without restrictions (calling adherents Basilian). However, the clergy soon divided into pro-Catholic and pro-Russian factions, with the former tending to convert to Latin Rite Catholicism, while the latter group was led by Bishop [[Iosif Semashko]] (1798-1868).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blackwellreference.com/public/tocnode?id=g9780631232032_chunk_g978063123203213_ss1-16 |title=Iosif Semashko : The Blackwell Dictionary of Eastern Christianity: Blackwell Reference Online |publisher=Blackwellreference.com |date= |accessdate=11 May 2011}}</ref> In 1828, the Church in the Russian Empire was reorganized, creating the metropolitanates of Polatsk in Belarus and Lithuania with its seat in [[Žyrovičy]].

In the more eastern regions of [[Podolia]], the population mostly reverted to Orthodoxy. Initially, the Russian authorities were tolerant of the Greek Catholic Church and allowed it to operate without restrictions (calling adherents Basilian). However, the clergy soon divided into pro-Catholic and pro-Russian factions, with the former tending to convert to Latin Rite Catholicism, while the latter group was led by Bishop [[Iosif Semashko]] (1798-1868).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blackwellreference.com/public/tocnode?id=g9780631232032_chunk_g978063123203213_ss1-16 |title=Iosif Semashko : The Blackwell Dictionary of Eastern Christianity: Blackwell Reference Online |publisher=Blackwellreference.com |date= |accessdate=11 May 2011}}</ref> In 1828, the Church in the [[Russian Empire]] was reorganized, creating the metropolitanates of Polatsk in [[Belarus]] and [[Lithuania]] with its seat in [[Žyrovičy]].

The situation changed abruptly after the successful Russian repression of the [[November Uprising|Polish uprising of 1831]], aimed at eliminating Russian control over Polish territories. Since the uprising was actively supported by the Greek Catholic Church, immediate repression followed. The pro-Latin members of the synod were expelled, and the Church began to disintegrate, with its parishes in [[Volhynia]] returning to Orthodoxy, including the transfer in 1833 of the [[Pochaiv Lavra|Pochaiv Monastery]]. As Orthodox Russia expanded its control over Ukraine, the union was gradually suppressed, in 1839, the Polatsk Synod (in present-day Belarus), under the direction of Bishop Semashko, dissolved the Greek Catholic Church in the [[Russian Empire]], and all its properties were transferred to the state Orthodox Church by Tsar [[Nicholas I of Russia]], who abolished the union across Russian territories. By the late 18th century, Greek Catholics had almost disappeared.

The situation changed abruptly after the successful Russian suppression of the [[November Uprising|Polish uprising of 1831]], aimed at eliminating Russian control over Polish territories. Since the uprising was actively supported by the Greek Catholic Church, immediate repression followed. The pro-Latin members of the synod were expelled, and the Church began to disintegrate, with its parishes in [[Volhynia]] returning to Orthodoxy, including the transfer in 1833 of the [[Pochaiv Lavra|Pochaiv Monastery]]. As Orthodox Russia expanded its control over the dissident territories, the union was gradually suppressed, in 1839, the Polatsk Synod (in present-day Belarus), under the direction of Bishop Semashko, dissolved the Greek Catholic Church in the [[Russian Empire]], and all its properties were transferred to the state Orthodox Church by Tsar [[Nicholas I of Russia]], who abolished the union across Russian territories. By the late 18th century, Greek Catholics had almost disappeared.

The metropolitanates of Belarus and Lithuania were abolished, with only the eparchy of Chełm in present-day Poland remaining. Russian government pressure completely eliminated Greek Catholicism, and about 7 million faithful were forced to join the Russian Orthodox Church. The dissolution of the Greek Catholic Church in Russia was completed in 1875 with the abolition of the eparchy of Chełm.<ref>''St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Parish in Winnipeg, Historical Timeline of the Basilian Order of St. Josaphat''</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stnicholaschurch.ca/content_pages/osbm/art_osbm.timeline.005.htm|title=St. Nicholas Church }}</ref>

The metropolitanates of Belarus and Lithuania were abolished, with only the eparchy of Chełm in present-day Poland remaining. Russian influence completely eliminated Greek Catholicism, and about 7 million faithful joined the Russian Orthodox Church. The dissolution of the Greek Catholic Church in Russia was completed in 1875 with the abolition of the eparchy of Chełm.<ref>''St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Parish in Winnipeg, Historical Timeline of the Basilian Order of St. Josaphat''</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stnicholaschurch.ca/content_pages/osbm/art_osbm.timeline.005.htm|title=St. Nicholas Church }}</ref>

In the 18th century, most of Ukraine came under the rule of the [[Russian Empire|Tsars of Moscow]], who began a systematic persecution of Ukrainian Catholic Christianity. Only the western part of Ukraine, with [[Lviv]] as its capital, which remained under [[Austria]] and later [[Poland]], was able to preserve ecclesiastical communion with Rome. This Church thrived under the charismatic leadership of Metropolitan [[Andrey Sheptytsky]], who served as [[Archbishop of Lviv]] from 1900 to 1944.

In the 18th century, most of the western territories came under the rule of the [[Russian Empire|Tsars of Moscow]], who began a systematic persecution of Uniate church. Only the western part of [[Austrian Galactica]], with [[Lvov]] as its capital, and later [[Polish Second Republic]], was able to preserve ecclesiastical communion with Rome. This Church thrived under the charismatic leadership of Metropolitan [[Andrey Sheptytsky]], who served as [[Archbishop of Lviv]] from 1900 to 1944.

Only the western part of Ukraine, with Lviv as its capital, which remained under the [[Austrian Empire]] and later under Poland, was able to retain ecclesiastical communion with Rome. The Austrians granted freedom of worship to the Greek Catholic Church and eliminated Polish influence. They also ordered that seminarians receive formal higher education (previously, priests had been informally educated by their parents) and organized institutions in Vienna and Lviv to serve this purpose.<ref>Himka, John Paul. (1999). ''Religion and Nationality in Western Ukraine.'' McGill-Queen's University Press: Montreal and Kingston. Pg. 6.</ref> However, there was some fear in Rome that some elements of the Church might succumb to Orthodox apostasy:<ref>Conde, 1903, p. 448 "The sympathies that the Ruthenians had for the Russians, largely justified by the despotism of the Poles, led to repeated attempts at emancipation and a manifest tendency to strengthen ties with Russia. Though this tendency has almost completely disappeared today, it still remains a great danger for the Church, due to the political influence of [[Pan-Slavism]] fostered by the growing power of the Muscovite Empire and the efforts of some schismatics"</ref>. The Pope in 1891 sent Cardinal [[Agostino Ciasca|Ciasca]], who held the Lviv Synod from September to October of the same year; the Augustinians of Spain considered the Synod to be highly successful.<ref>Conde, 1903, p. 450"It is not in our plan to rework the history of the Lviv Synod, a significant event in the religious life of that country: suffice it to know that the people, agitated by internal discord, with wavering faith, and inclined towards the Russian schism, have been regenerated by the decisions of the Council, and are now strongly aligned with Rome."</ref>

The Austrians granted freedom of worship to the Greek Catholic Church and eliminated Polish influence. They also ordered that seminarians receive formal higher education (previously, priests had been informally educated by their parents) and organized institutions in [[Vienna]] and [[Lemberg]] to serve this purpose.<ref>Himka, John Paul. (1999). ''Religion and Nationality in Western Ukraine.'' McGill-Queen's University Press: Montreal and Kingston. Pg. 6.</ref> However, there was some fear in [[Rome]] that some elements of the Church might succumb to Orthodox apostasy:<ref>Conde, 1903, p. 448 "The sympathies that the [[Ruthenia]]ns had for the Russians, largely justified by the [[despot]]ism of the [[Pole]]s, led to repeated attempts at emancipation and a manifest tendency to strengthen ties with [[Russia]]. Though this tendency has almost completely disappeared today, it still remains a great danger for the Church, due to the political influence of [[Pan-Slavism]] fostered by the growing power of the Muscovite Empire and the efforts of some schismatics"</ref>. The Pope in 1891 sent Cardinal [[Agostino Ciasca|Ciasca]], who held the Lviv Synod from September to October of the same year; the Augustinians of Spain considered the Synod to be highly successful.<ref>Conde, 1903, p. 450"It is not in our plan to rework the history of the Lviv Synod, a significant event in the religious life of that country: suffice it to know that the people, agitated by internal discord, with wavering faith, and inclined towards the Russian schism, have been regenerated by the decisions of the Council, and are now strongly aligned with Rome."</ref>

At the end of the century, many faithful emigrated to the United States, Canada, and Brazil. Of the estimated 5 million Greek Catholics living in Central Europe at the start of the 20th century, only about 10,000 were outside the Austro-Hungarian borders. It was estimated that there were 3,134,000 Greek Catholics, mostly Ukrainians (and the rest Poles) in the Metropolis of Lviv, including its suffragan eparchies of Stanislav (or Ivano-Frankivsk) and Przemyśl, while the Metropolis of Făgăraș and Alba Iulia with its suffragans of Lugoj, Oradea, and Gherla had 1,267,000 Greek Catholics, mostly Romanians (and the rest Hungarians). In Hungary, the eparchies of Mukachevo and Prešov, suffragans of the Archdiocese of Esztergom, had 562,000 faithful, mostly Ruthenians (and the rest Slovaks and Hungarians), and the eparchy of Križevci, suffragan of the Archdiocese of Zagreb, had 25,000 faithful, both Croats and Ruthenians.<ref>Historical Atlas of Central Europe. Written by Paul Robert Magocsi</ref>

At the end of the 19TH century, many faithful emigrated to the United States, Canada, and Brazil. Of the estimated 5 million Greek Catholics living in Central Europe at the start of the 20th century, only about 10,000 were outside the [[Austro-Hungarian]] borders. It was estimated that there were 3,134,000 Greek Catholics, mostly Ukrainians (and the rest Poles) in the Metropolis of Lviv, including its suffragan eparchies of Stanislav (or Ivano-Frankivsk) and Przemyśl, while the Metropolis of Făgăraș and Alba Iulia with its suffragans of Lugoj, Oradea, and Gherla had 1,267,000 Greek Catholics, mostly Romanians (and the rest Hungarians). In Hungary, the eparchies of Mukachevo and Prešov, suffragans of the Archdiocese of Esztergom, had 562,000 faithful, mostly Ruthenians (and the rest Slovaks and Hungarians), and the eparchy of Križevci, suffragan of the Archdiocese of Zagreb, had 25,000 faithful, both Croats and Ruthenians.<ref>Historical Atlas of Central Europe. Written by Paul Robert Magocsi</ref>

On February 22, 1903, the Tsar decreed religious freedom, allowing the Greek Catholic Church to function. This Church prospered under the charismatic leadership of Metropolitan [[Andrey Sheptytsky]], who was the archbishop of Lviv from 1900 to 1944. In 1907, [[Pope Pius X]] orally and secretly gave him full powers to organize the Byzantine Rite Church in the Russian Empire.<ref>Bishop Michel D'Herbigny SJ and Russia: A Pre-ecumenical Approach to Christian Unity, p. 56. Author: Léon Tretjakewitsch. Editor: Augustinus-Verlag, 1990. ISBN 3761301626, 9783761301623</ref> Sheptytsky was internally exiled in Russia between 1914 and 1917, and upon his return to Lviv, using the powers granted by Pius X, on May 29, 1917, he created the "Apostolic Exarchate for Byzantine Rite Ukrainian Faithful in Russia and Siberia," appointing Abbot [[Klymentiy Sheptytsky]] as Exarch, confirmed by [[Pope Benedict XV]] on February 24, 1921. On May 28, 1917, he appointed the first Apostolic Exarch for the Greek Catholics of Russia (''Exarchia apostolica pro catholicis ritus byzantini in Russia''), [[Leonid Feodorov]], who was confirmed by Benedict XV on March 1, 1921.<ref>Rome-Moscou: l'ostpolitik du Vatican, p. 29. Author: Mireille Maqua. Editor: Cabay, 1984. ISBN 2870772319, 9782870772317</ref>

On February 22, 1903, the Tsar decreed religious freedom, allowing the Greek Catholic Church to function. This Church prospered under the charismatic leadership of Metropolitan [[Andrey Sheptytsky]], who was the archbishop of Lviv from 1900 to 1944. In 1907, [[Pope Pius X]] orally and secretly gave him full powers to organize the Byzantine Rite Church in the Russian Empire.<ref>Bishop Michel D'Herbigny SJ and Russia: A Pre-ecumenical Approach to Christian Unity, p. 56. Author: Léon Tretjakewitsch. Editor: Augustinus-Verlag, 1990. ISBN 3761301626, 9783761301623</ref> Sheptytsky was internally exiled in Russia between 1914 and 1917, and upon his return to Lviv, using the powers granted by Pius X, on May 29, 1917, he created the "Apostolic Exarchate for Byzantine Rite Ukrainian Faithful in Russia and Siberia," appointing Abbot [[Klymentiy Sheptytsky]] as Exarch, confirmed by [[Pope Benedict XV]] on February 24, 1921. On May 28, 1917, he appointed the first Apostolic Exarch for the Greek Catholics of Russia (''Exarchia apostolica pro catholicis ritus byzantini in Russia''), [[Leonid Feodorov]], who was confirmed by Benedict XV on March 1, 1921.<ref>Rome-Moscou: l'ostpolitik du Vatican, p. 29. Author: Mireille Maqua. Editor: Cabay, 1984. ISBN 2870772319, 9782870772317</ref>