PASTORAL AND PUBLIC ACTIVITIES OF FATHER IVAN TERESKUN (1896–1946)

Abstract

The article, based on the analysis of sources and historiography, highlights the biography, pastoral and social activities of Fr. Ivan Tereshkun, one of the representatives of the Greek Catholic clergy of the Stanislaviv Diocese. It has been established that Ivan Tereshkun (1896–1946) showed himself to be an active participant in the Ukrainian national movement from a young age, because in 1918–1919 he served in the UGA as a lieutenant. Later, he graduated from the theological seminary in Stanislaviv, received ordination while unmarried, and along with pastoral and catechetical work, engaged in cultural and educational and public activities, supported UNDO. In 1941, he supported the proclamation of the Act on the Restoration of the Ukrainian State, dedicated in the village Zubrets, the symbolic grave of “Fighters for the freedom of Ukraine”, became part of the Ukrainian district delegation in Buchach (1941–1944). As early as 1944, the NKGB authorities took him into “development” and prepared for arrest, but in connection with joining the “Initiative group for the reunification of the GCC with the Russian Orthodox Church” he was not arrested. Tragically died on January 1, 1946. Additional circumstances of his death, which have so far been ambiguously interpreted in historiography, have been clarified.

Keywords: lieutenant of the Ukrainian Galician Army, theological seminary in Stanislaviv, priest- celebs, catechist, associate of the parish priest, Ukrainian district delegation in Buchach, “Initiative group for the reunification of the GCC with the Russian Orthodox Church”, bodies of the NKGB.