RISU launches project “Reformation 500: Ukrainian Experience”

Today marks 499 years since German Augustine monk Martin Luther tacked on the church door his 95 theses criticizing the state of the Catholic Church. With this act the institutionalization of Protestantism started, including in Ukrainian lands. In late summer, Ukraine’s President supported the initiative of AUCCRO and signed a decree “On celebrating the 500th anniversary of Reformation in Ukraine.”

This decree became part of the great celebrations of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, to which Ukrainian Protestants are actively preparing.

Initiating a project “Reformation 500: Ukrainian experience,” RISU will inform, on one side, about modern life of Christians-Protestants in Ukraine. And on the other – it will tell more about the history of the spread of various Protestant communities in the Ukrainian lands.

Protestants, evangelical Christians make up a percentage of the population of Ukraine, but the number of registered religious communities are in second place after orthodox. In its activities Protestants are among the most active social groups. At the same time, the general attitude to the followers of Luther, Calvin in Ukraine is unfairly biased. His project that will last until the end of 2017, we want to present the first contribution of Christians in Protestant history and present day Ukraine, to refute certain myths and stereotypes that exist around them. And thus contribute to a more tolerant and informed attitude to them.

All materials will be posted at thematic page throughout the year.

Researchers, journalists, religious community representatives and all stakeholders are invited to contribute their materials and information to the project. Contact: [email protected]