JOSYF SLIPYJ AND UKRAINIAN ARTISTS AND SCIENTISTS: COLLABORATION DURING HIS ROMAN PERIOD OF LIFE (1963–1984)

Abstract

The article highlights and analyses the cooperation between the Major Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Josyf Slipyj (1892–1984), and Ukrainian artists and scientists. The second wave of emigration (1939–1945) forced many of them to leave their native land in search of a safe place to live and work. In this way, they preserved and continued the continuity of the traditions of Ukrainian art and scientific thought and represented Ukrainian culture to foreigners, shared their own achievements and learned about foreign achievements. Much effort was made to create Ukrainian educational centers, develop scientific and publishing activities. A striking example is the idea of Josyf Slipyj, the St. Sophia complex in Rome, which combined the Ukrainian Catholic University of St. Clement the Pope and the student’s Church of the Wisdom of God. While the former was the center of research life, bringing together many prominent scientists, professors, and doctors, the latter was decorated by famous Ukrainian artists, who also created their works for various exhibitions and commissions. Here we can trace the manifestation of Josyf Slipyj’s outstanding organizational skills, foresighted plans, and love for his native traditions. It was under his wise leadership that a real cultural center of Ukrainians in the diaspora was created, which attracted visitors from all over the world. The University’s task was to uplift the faith, discover and defend the truth about the Ukrainian people who suffered behind the Iron Curtain. Many more artists and scholars will draw from this cultural heritage if we multiply, disseminate, and continue the work of our predecessors. Due to inaccessibility to the Archives of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Rome, we must rely on already published sources. We hope that future researchers will work on original documents, letters, and reports, which will allow us to reveal the peculiarities of cooperation more fully and deeply between Josyf Slipyj and the Ukrainian diaspora.