I am Olga Nedavnya PhD of Philosophical Sciences, Senior Researcher Department of Studies of Religion of the G.S.Skovoroda Philosophy Institute of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Kyiv, Ukraine), descendant of the old Kyiv Ukrainian genus. I have the honor to present my monograph “Kyiv religious and ceremonial traditions, beliefs and amulets of the city on its protection: religious stadies essays” to the attention of English-speaking readers. This monograph is written in two languages: Ukrainian and English. Its English part gives an idea of the content of the Ukrainian part, and the collection of illustrations to the text of the monograph is signed (each photo) in Ukrainian and English.

What is my monograph about?

Kyiv's religious and ceremonial traditions, beliefs and oral traditions, sacred places of power and amulets of our city have long been means of its protection from attackers and destructive influences. This Kyiv authenticity, the product of the creativity of the builders of the capital city of Rus-Ukraine and their descendants, lived among the vicissitudes of the religious and church history of the Ukrainian people, transforming itself according to the challenges of the times and responding to them, preserving the spirit of the city, the mentality of its true masters. Old Kyiv Christmas and Easter traditions, beliefs about holy places and patron saints of the city and legendary characters of local folklore, its heroes in divinations, games, performances and tales of Kyiv residents made up a colorful mosaic of Ukrainian urban myth. Being autochthonous and opposed to pro-Russian imperial and Soviet pressure, it naturally became a protest against it, and was naturally activated during the war with the existential enemy, and before our eyes it is deployed as a weapon of informational, psychological and spiritual protection of Ukrainians.

CONTENT

Preface………………………………………………………………………...p.7-11.

I. Old Kyiv religious and ritual customs, traditions and beliefs in the capital of the Ukrainian SSR since the 1940s. before 1991: an authentic heritage that developed as an alternative and protest……………………………………………………...p.12-34.

1. Kyiv Christmas and Easter traditions as manifestations of spiritual resistance of Ukrainians in the Soviet reality................................................................р.13-20.

2. Religious, legendary and mythological characters of old Kyiv games, fortune-telling and home theater performances: original syncretism, mental omens, Ukrainian heroics.....................................................................……..…..р.20-25.

3. Legendary and religious heroes in Old Kyiv legends: markers of identity and factors connecting the times.....................................................................р.26-34.

II. Sacred "places of power" in Kyiv during the war as locations that stimulate energy for life in the struggle and increase stress resistance…………………….…....p.34-47.

1. St. Sophia of Kyiv and Mykhailo Square as locations of unity and hope for Victory………………………………………………………………….p.36-40.

2. The phenomenon of Shchekavytsi as evidence of the insubordination of Ukrainians……………………………………………………………...p.40-42.

3. Art and volunteer actions on Dytyntsi Mountain as a natural cradle of the Ukrainian sacrum……………………………………………………....p.43-47.

III. Religious and legendary heroes are mobilized to protect Ukraine……….p.48-64.

1. Modern city rumors about Serpent Horynych and Archistrateg Mykhaylo as a unique creation of the capital with the Ghost of Kyiv…………………p.49-54.

2. The Kyiv legendarium and "the whole heavenly army" in "war" Internet memes as an informational weapon of Ukrainians in the war with the Russian aggressor……………………………………………………………….p.54-58.

3. Literary works about the charms of Kyiv, which cooperate with Ukrainians in repelling the enemy…………………………………………………….p.58-64.

Afterword……………………………………………………………………..p.64-67.

IN ENGLISH

Sacred Kyiv "places of power" as help to support the resilience of Ukrainians during the Russia's war against Ukraine. Religious and legendary "charms" of Kyiv help Ukrainians fight off aggressors..........................................................................p.68-77.

1. The phenomenon of sacred "places of power" in increasing stress resistance and cheerfulness in wartime: modern Ukrainian experience...................р.69-73.

2. The war actualizes the appeal to the saint, and it helps...........................р.73-75.

3. Memes and photo collages of Ukrainian heroes of religious and mythological themes as a national informational weapon in the war against Russian attackers...................................................................................................р.76-77.

Illustrations with descriptions………………………………………….р.78-91.

Dear foreign readers!

In the text of the monograph below, last Section is written in English. It presents a significant part of the subject, which is analyzed in the monograph. If you are interested in its other sections, then Google translator has now been improved enough to more or less adequately translate the Ukrainian text into a language convenient for you. If you knew how scientists work in Ukraine now (with daily air raids, frequent missile and shahed attacks and power outages, with small salaries and writing papers outside of the scheduled mandatory performance exclusively on our own enthusiasm, in our free time), you would probably understood why only a part of this work is offered in English. This is my own experiment, to which I was prompted by my sincere desire to introduce you to at least part of the fruits of my individual scientific interests.

The results of my research in this subject field can contribute to the understanding of spiritual, church-religious, cultural-civilizational processes that took place and are taking place in Ukraine.

I wish you an interesting reading and invite you, if you please, to feedback!

With respect and assurance of friendship to all representatives of the civilized world, Olga.

I dedicate this monograph, together with sincere thanks, to husband Kyrylo Bulkin, daughter Bogdana Nedavnya, our Kyiv ancestors and to everyone who is currently defending Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, on earth and in Heaven.

The monograph is posted on the website of the Great Ukrainian Encyclopedia Publishing House, it is freely available and can be downloaded.

ISBN 978-966-7742-32-4