THE SOCIAL MINISTRY OF THE ORTHODOX CHURCH OF UKRAINE: CONCEPTUAL BASIS IN ECCLESIOLOGICAL DISCOURSE

Abstract

The article provides a comprehensive conceptual analysis of the present state of the social ministry of the OCU in the context of ecclesiological discourse. The significance of Orthodox ecclesiology as a tool for the development of theological thinking of religious communities, scientific approaches to the missionary work of Ukrainian Orthodoxy and social cooperation between the Orthodox Church and civil society is highlighted. The development of any religious community depends on many factors.One of the key tasks is the establishment of theological and spiritual-educational resources. Christian theological thought directly affects the spiritual, social and emotional microclimate of church and parish life. In order to develop preaching, worship and social service, the OCU should use theological ideas in the spiritual life of Orthodox Christians. In this context, it is necessary to draw attention to the importance of Orthodox ecclesiology. Every church community needs to develop its spiritual mission and social service.The spiritual potential and effective models of social assistance of the Orthodox Church are considered in the context of the sustainable development of Ukrainian society. The importance of Christian social ministry encourages the substantiation of its conceptual foundations from the perspective of Orthodox ecclesiology. In order to clearly understand the essence of the concept of ‘ecclesiology’, the article analyses the basic biblical, theological, ethical and sociological categories that characterise its content, namely: ‘Church’, ‘people of God’, ‘Kingdom of God’, “Eucharist”, ‘worship’.The social ministry of the Orthodox Church as a scientific and practical field is developing at the intersection of ecclesiology, social work, psychology, history of Christianity, pedagogy and cultural studies. The social mission of Ukrainian Orthodoxy is especially relevant in the context of globalisation and the reform of Ukrainian society, when models of interdisciplinary dialogue between the OCU and various state and public institutions are becoming crucial in modern science. In this context, the Orthodox Church becomes a full-fledged partner in social work and assistance.

In the conditions of global integration and the search for new ways of Ukrainian society development, Christian social ministry takes a special place among innovative approaches to education and science. Social ministry combines the cognitive potential of Christian theology with the urgent socio-political tasks of Ukrainian society, which ensures the spiritual, ethical and deeply emotional sustainability of a modern person. The social ministry of the OCU not only helps people in difficulty and develops their social skills, but also propagates humanistic values and guidelines for the formation and development of the personality.

The present article has both theoretical and practical significance. It can provide a basis for the study of the history and theory of Orthodox ecclesiology, the spiritual mission of Christianity, the development of curricula for social work in the Orthodox Church, and the creation of new interdisciplinary initiatives in the field of modern humanities. The results are valuable for the Orthodox clergy, theologians, scholars, volunteers, and representatives of government agencies interested in the sustainable development of Ukrainian society.

The author, in particular, emphasises that with the appropriate development of the OCU's social ministry, the social mission of Ukrainian Orthodoxy can become a powerful factor in the upbringing, education, and formation of a fully developed humanistic person capable of active Christian service and free, responsible citizenship in a democratic Ukraine.