The Reformation-500 as the Ukrainian Protestants’ mega project: the media aspect

Abstract

The 500th anniversary of European Reformation opens the new phase in the history of Ukrainian Protestants. It is the chance for these churches to position themselves as «alternative», «progressive», «Western» Christianity in Ukraine, the factor and driving force of social transformations. The center of church activity switches from charity to usage of (secular) mass media. The main sign of these changes is the President Poroshenko’s decree on celebrating the 500th anniversary of European Reformation in Ukraine in 2017. In this document Mr. President endorses Protestants with the right to use state bodies, budget, places and media to commemorate «their» anniversary. The ground for this deed is the history of Ukraine as a multi-denominational territory. In modern Ukrainian political thought some authoritative voices perceive Protestantism as an ideological and symbolic source for nation-building. These are ideologists of the Brotherhood of St. Kyrylo and Mefodii, and also historians and politicians Mykhailo Drahomanov and Mykhailo Hrushevskyi.