Bible Societies in Ukrainian Lands (early 19th Century)
Abstract
The purpose of the research paper is to highlight the activities of Bible societies in Ukrainian territory at the beginning of the 19th century.
The scientific novelty is in the first-time study of the history of Bible societies at early 19th century, the determination of their place in the social life of Ukrainian gubernias, and links with related organizations in Europe.
Conclusions. In the process of study, it was uncovered that the following branches of the Russian Bible Society (1812-1826) – British and Foreign Bible Society (BFBS, 1804) were established in the territory of Ukraine: Volyn (Zhytomyr), Katerynoslav, Kyiv, Odesa, Podillia (Kamianets-Podilskyi), Poltava, Slobidska Ukraine (Kharkiv), Tavriia (Simferopol), Feodosiia, and Chernihiv. A special place was taken by branches in the colonies of foreign settlers near Odesa and in Molochni Vody. Correspondents first, and later – associations operated in the povits. Student and children’s communities were also established. Missionaries of the BFBS (Pinkerton, Paterson, and Henderson) made a significant contribution to the Bible societies’ movement in Ukraine.
The main goal of the Bible societies was to distribute (sell or give free of charge) books of the Holy Scripture – the Bibles and the New Testaments – in the native language of those ethnic groups living in Ukrainian lands, regardless of religious denominations, gender, wealth, etc. At the same time, the gubernia branches supported the translation activities of Kyiv Theological Academy, and the seminaries of Kyiv, Katerynoslav, Podillia, and Poltava.
Bible societies under Alexander I were supported by the emperor and the senior officials of the empire. Therefore, they included all administrative resources, both secular and religious. It is important, that in the activities of Bible societies, the representatives of educational and cultural circles were involved, among which in Kharkiv there were Kvitka-Osnovianenko, Karazin, Osypovskyi, Dzhunkovskyi, and others and in Poltava there was Kotliarevskyi. It was thanks to their efforts that in the circles of the Ukrainian intelligentsia a firm conviction emerged in the need to have a translation of the Holy Scripture in their native Ukrainian language.
Funding. The paper is prepared on the results of the study conducted as part of the research work: ‘Formation of National Identity in Ukraine in the 16th – early 20th century: Sources and Archeography’. M.S. Hrushevskyi Institute of Ukrainian Archeography and Source Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
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