Understanding the nuances between different Christian churches can be complex, especially when considering the historical and theological landscapes that have shaped them. A common question, particularly for those encountering Ukrainian Catholic churches for the first time, is: how do these churches compare to Rome and the West? To answer this, we need to explore the layers of history and doctrine that differentiate and connect these Christian traditions.
The narrative begins with the broader context of the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, before narrowing down to the specifics of the Roman Catholic Church and the Ukrainian Catholic Church. Examining these distinctions sheds light on the unique position of Eastern Catholic Churches within the wider Christian world, particularly in their relationship with both Rome and the traditions of the East.
The term “catholic,” meaning “universal,” was used by the early Church to describe its global fellowship of believers. Even today, the Nicene Creed, a foundational statement of Christian belief, affirms “one holy, catholic, and apostolic church.” However, “Catholic” with a capital “C” often refers specifically to the Churches within the Catholic Communion, which is centered in Rome. The Church of Rome boasts a long and venerable history, tracing its origins back to the apostles Peter and Paul in the first century. Over time, it emphasized the central authority of the bishop of Rome, who eventually became known as the Pope, establishing a hierarchical structure that differentiated it from other early Christian communities.
The trajectory of Christian history took a significant turn in the eleventh century when the Catholic Church and the Byzantine Church of the East diverged. This split, known as the Great Schism, was rooted in disagreements over both papal authority and theological doctrines. In the aftermath of this division, numerous attempts were made to bridge the divide and restore unity between the Churches. One notable effort was the Council of Florence in the 15th century. Fueled in part by the Roman Church’s perspective on the impending Turkish invasion of the Byzantine Empire as an opportunity for Christian reconciliation, the Council aimed for a grand reunion. This vision extended beyond the Greek Byzantine churches to include the Copts, Ethiopians, Armenians, and Nestorians. Despite a substantial assembly of Eastern and Latin representatives and extensive debates, the hoped-for reunion remained elusive.
Following the disappointment of the Council of Florence, the Roman Church adopted an alternative approach, inspired by their successful union with the Maronite Church in the 12th century. This strategy involved creating “Uniate churches”—a term that, while sometimes carrying negative connotations, signifies a crucial historical development. These churches maintained Eastern liturgical rituals and legal traditions but pledged religious allegiance to Rome. This model offers a crucial insight into how Eastern Catholic Churches, like the Ukrainian Catholic Church, navigate their relationship with Rome while preserving their distinct Eastern heritage.
On the other side of this historical divide are the Eastern family of churches, now recognized as the Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Orthodox churches. Their roots extend back to the earliest days of Christianity, flourishing not only within the Roman and Byzantine Empires but also across the Middle East, North Africa, and India. These churches were initially unified through a pentarchy, a system that revered patriarchal sees in Antioch, Alexandria, Constantinople, Jerusalem, and Rome. However, the Council of Chalcedon in 451 and the ensuing Christological controversies, particularly those involving Nestorius and Cyril, triggered the first major schism within the Church. Communities that would become the Oriental Orthodox Church rejected the Chalcedonian decree on the unified nature of Christ, advocating instead for the distinctness of Christ’s human and divine natures. This theological divergence led to a separation that encompassed Christians in Egypt, Ethiopia, Syria, Armenia, India, Iraq, and Iran, either through formal schism or gradual distancing due to geographical and political factors.
The estrangement between Roman and Greek Christians deepened over the subsequent centuries, culminating in the second major schism of 1054. This pivotal moment saw the Pope of Rome and the Patriarch of Constantinople excommunicating each other, solidifying the division into the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Churches. This historical context is essential for understanding the complex relationships within Christianity and how Eastern Catholic Churches emerged as a bridge between these major traditions.
The Ukrainian Catholic Church firmly belongs to the Universal Catholic Church, a diverse communion comprising twenty-three distinct Churches. These include the Western or “Latin” Church, most familiar in Western countries, and twenty-two Eastern Churches. The Pope, as the Vicar of the Universal Church, serves as the shepherd for both Western and Eastern rites. Importantly, the Eastern rites, each with its own code of canon law, are considered fully equal in dignity to the Western rites.
Eastern Christianity took root in Ukraine in 988 when Vladimir, Prince of Kyivan Rus’, embraced Christianity and was baptized. Byzantine missionaries subsequently spread the Gospel, establishing a strong Eastern Christian tradition in the region. Despite the 11th-century schism between Rome and Constantinople, the Church in Rus’ (which included present-day Ukraine) maintained ties with both Rome and the West for centuries, even while under the supervision of the Patriarch of Constantinople. However, northern Rus’ eventually severed its union with the Roman Pontiff.
A significant turning point occurred in 1595 at the Council of Brest-Litovsk. Southern Rus’ (modern Ukraine) formally reunited with the Pope of Rome, under the crucial condition that their Byzantine tradition and Liturgy would be respected and recognized by Rome. This event marked the formal division of the Kyivan Church into two branches: the Ukrainian Catholic Church and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. This historical moment is central to understanding how the Ukrainian Catholic Church compares to both Rome and the West—it represents a deliberate choice to maintain communion with Rome while preserving a distinct Eastern Christian identity.
By the 18th century, a significant portion of Ukraine had become Catholic. However, as Orthodox Russia expanded its influence into Ukraine, Catholicism faced increasing suppression. In 1839, Tsar Nicholas I abolished the union in Russian-controlled territories, although the Ukrainian Catholic Church continued to thrive in Austrian-controlled areas. Later, under the Soviet Union, the Ukrainian Catholic Church was forcibly integrated into the Russian Orthodox Church and endured severe persecution. Many Ukrainian Catholics were imprisoned or killed, and the Church was driven underground, becoming a “Church of the Catacombs.” In 1945, all Ukrainian Catholic bishops were arrested or murdered. It was only with the collapse of the USSR that the Ukrainian Catholic Church resurfaced openly in Ukraine.
During the 19th century, Ukrainian Catholic immigration to North America began, bringing their traditions and Liturgy to Canada and the United States. These diaspora communities played a vital role in supporting their brethren in the catacombs through prayer and unwavering faithfulness to their Eastern Catholic Rite. Today, the Ukrainian Catholic Church stands as the largest Eastern Catholic Church, with approximately 4.5 million members worldwide, led by His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk.
In conclusion, the history of the Church is deeply intertwined with geopolitical forces, yet the unifying thread, whether Catholic or Orthodox, remains the shared love for Jesus Christ and the commitment to following Him. When considering how the Ukrainian Catholic Church compares to the West and Rome, the answer is multifaceted. As Fr. Andriy Chirovsky aptly explained, if asked: “Is the Ukrainian Catholic Church Eastern or Western?” the answer is “YES!” Similarly, to the question “Is the Ukrainian Catholic Church Catholic or Orthodox?” the answer is again “YES!”
Ukrainian Catholics embody the richness of both traditions. They adhere to Eastern Orthodox rituals and rites while embracing the authority and unity of the Holy Catholic Church. This dual identity is a source of strength and a testament to the inclusive nature of the Catholic faith. Ultimately, the unifying element is the shared Catholic identity that transcends geographical and liturgical differences. Regardless of the specific Catholic rite or language of worship, unity within the Holy Catholic Church prevails—a claim unique within Christianity. Echoing the prayer of Jesus in the Gospel of John for unity among believers, Ukrainian Catholics, along with all Christians, are called to cherish their spiritual heritage and continue to follow the Lord, striving for the unity He desires.
“I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. (John 17: 20-21)
