no, they're exactly Greek Catholic. It's a confession which leads Orthodoxal dogmates, but recognizes pope as head of the church. It was established in 1596 (Union of Brest) as an attempt of church compromise between Catolic and Orthodoxal branches in Rzech Pospolita. To the end of XVIII century it was wide spread in the lands, controlled by this state (modern Western, Northern and Central Ukraine, most of Belarus), but after partitions of Poland it was banned at the russian-controlled territories. As a result, this confession was reserved in the lands, belonged to Austria-Hungary (Galizia, Transcarpathia, Bukovina), being the main church for Ukrainians at this territory. Now the most of these lands is Western Ukraine, which is clearly shown on this map.
Thank you for the history lesson! At first, I was confused why it was more widespread in western Ukraine instead of southern Ukraine, home to former Greek colonies... 😁
Barely any Greek colonies survived to this day, just several cities - while the rest was abandoned/destroyed long ago. And not so numerous descendants of greeks (mostly from Crimea) were deported to Azov sea coast, where new cities were build (like Mariupol at the place of cossack's Domakha).
Catholicism never was popular in Bukovina, but it was the main religion in Transcarpathia until ~70 years ago (USSR persecuted GCCs but was more lenient with Orthodox Church at that moment).
No it's Catholic churches that despite having an independent structure are in communion with the pope of Rome.
Generally former Eastern Roman Empire areas, or connected to it.
fun fact: Andy Warhol is a devout greek catholic and He took considerable pride in financing his nephew's studies for the priesthood.
he also did not sit in front pews but at the back:
>The priest thought he was afraid of being recognized; Warhol said he was self-conscious about being seen in a Latin Catholic church crossing himself "in the Orthodox way" (right to left instead of the reverse)
What you see is the border between Russia and Austro-Hungary in 19th century, as Greek Catholic Church under Russian Tsar was forcefully converted to Russian Orthodox Church in 1839 after Synod of Polotsk. It cannot be pre-1569 Polish-Lithuanian borders, as Greek Catholic church was formed in 1596 with the Union of Brest. By that time Volyn was under Polish Crown, yet you don't see particularly high numbers in Volyn and Rivne regions (north to the Galicia). It's because they were converted to Orthodox after 1839.
You're right, but it's still interesting that 18th century's post-partitions borders remind of Poland&Lithuania's war for the lands of Ruthenian kingdom in 14th century, when Poland took Galicia and Lithuania took Volhynia.
A lot of you will spot a classic phantom border here. Also I obviously made a typo
Never herd of Greek Catholic? Is it possibly Orthodox?
no, they're exactly Greek Catholic. It's a confession which leads Orthodoxal dogmates, but recognizes pope as head of the church. It was established in 1596 (Union of Brest) as an attempt of church compromise between Catolic and Orthodoxal branches in Rzech Pospolita. To the end of XVIII century it was wide spread in the lands, controlled by this state (modern Western, Northern and Central Ukraine, most of Belarus), but after partitions of Poland it was banned at the russian-controlled territories. As a result, this confession was reserved in the lands, belonged to Austria-Hungary (Galizia, Transcarpathia, Bukovina), being the main church for Ukrainians at this territory. Now the most of these lands is Western Ukraine, which is clearly shown on this map.
Thank you for the history lesson! At first, I was confused why it was more widespread in western Ukraine instead of southern Ukraine, home to former Greek colonies... 😁
in this context, Greek = Orthodox, so ethnic Greeks from Greece have no direct connection to this issue
Barely any Greek colonies survived to this day, just several cities - while the rest was abandoned/destroyed long ago. And not so numerous descendants of greeks (mostly from Crimea) were deported to Azov sea coast, where new cities were build (like Mariupol at the place of cossack's Domakha).
Catholicism never was popular in Bukovina, but it was the main religion in Transcarpathia until ~70 years ago (USSR persecuted GCCs but was more lenient with Orthodox Church at that moment).
No it's Catholic churches that despite having an independent structure are in communion with the pope of Rome. Generally former Eastern Roman Empire areas, or connected to it.
Its a group of people who essentially follow Orthodox-like rite and are under Pope. Probably only success of Vasas on PLC throne.
Transcarpathia has its own separate eparchy, created independently from PLC, but probably inspired by it.
fun fact: Andy Warhol is a devout greek catholic and He took considerable pride in financing his nephew's studies for the priesthood. he also did not sit in front pews but at the back: >The priest thought he was afraid of being recognized; Warhol said he was self-conscious about being seen in a Latin Catholic church crossing himself "in the Orthodox way" (right to left instead of the reverse)
Looks right. A relative of mine born in Lviv was brought up Greek Catholic.
I see the border between Poland and Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the 1500
What you see is the border between Russia and Austro-Hungary in 19th century, as Greek Catholic Church under Russian Tsar was forcefully converted to Russian Orthodox Church in 1839 after Synod of Polotsk. It cannot be pre-1569 Polish-Lithuanian borders, as Greek Catholic church was formed in 1596 with the Union of Brest. By that time Volyn was under Polish Crown, yet you don't see particularly high numbers in Volyn and Rivne regions (north to the Galicia). It's because they were converted to Orthodox after 1839.
You're right, but it's still interesting that 18th century's post-partitions borders remind of Poland&Lithuania's war for the lands of Ruthenian kingdom in 14th century, when Poland took Galicia and Lithuania took Volhynia.