EDUCATIONAL-SPIRITUAL AND ETHNOMENTAL COMPONENTS OF EASTERN CHRISTIANITY

Abstract

B a c k g r o u n d . In the context of the treacherous Russian aggression that has led to the absurd Russian-Ukrainian war in the 21st century, new dimensions of Ukrainian national identity have emerged, prompting the search for new approaches to the educational process and scholarly understanding in general. Ukrainian identity has been shaped by various historical, religious, cultural, and ethnonational factors. Among them, the Orthodox and Greek Catholic traditions, along with elements of the ancient Slavic worldview, have played a decisive role, being reflected in customs, character traits, and value orientations.

M e t h o d s . The historical method was applied to analyze sources and educational institutions in order to trace the evolution of the relationship between religion and education in Eastern Christianity. The religious studies approach made it possible to define the specific features of theological education in the Eastern Christian tradition, which focuses on the interpretation of the Holy Scripture and Sacraments, liturgical and artistic practices, as well as the practical application of Christian principles in everyday life. To demonstrate how cultural phenomena (such as language), artifacts (ancient Rus' manuscripts), and symbols(the anthropological code) influence the formation of educational patterns, a cultural analysis was used. This approach helped to identify the initial worldview orientations of Byzantine education in the Ukrainian lands and their resonance in the construction of the modern educational process.

R e s u l t s . The study of the historical and contemporary context of the interrelation between religion and education in shaping ethnomentality has revealed that religious educational systems tend to form ethnonational values that are organically integrated into the local sociocultural environment. Religious knowledge within the educational process contributes to the development of a unique ethnomentality that unites the historical heritage of the nation with contemporary realities. In essence, the ethnomental dimensions of cognition in the educational process of Eastern Christianity foster the formation of a worldview in which knowledge is integrated with the spiritual principles of faith. The main purpose of religious cognition is the "approach" to God and the moral and cultural perfection of Ukrainian ethnolife and the social order.

C o n c l u s i o n s . Eastern Christianity represents a unique spiritual and cultural phenomenon in which theological, educational, and ethnocultural factors are harmoniously combined. Its foundation lies in spirituality aimed at achieving harmony between faith, knowledge, and the moral self-improvement of the individual. The Ukrainian ethnomental dimensions of the educational process within Eastern Christianity are crucial for understanding how culture, language, religion, and traditions influence the affirmation of spirituality and the development of education among different peoples. Using Ukraine as an example, one can observe the continuity of spiritual heritage and the origins of ethnonational worldview, which serves as a foundation for the intellectual and moral values of Ukrainian society.