Father Stepan Gorodetsky (1853-1928): historical portrait

Abstract

The aim of the article is a comprehensive, as complete as possible, objective coverage of the historical portrait of Fr. S. Gorodetsky in the form of his biographical essay based on the analysis of a whole set of unpublished sources. Research methodology: based on scientific principles of objectivity and historicism, specific scientific methods of periodization (to identify stages of the priest's life in the context of historical epochs of Galicia under the rule of different states), comparative analysis (to study and compare information from different sources), biographies (to clarify certain details of the priest's biography). The scientific novelty lies in the fact that the thesis about the formation of the worldview and priestly vocation of Fr. Stepan Gorodetsky during his studies at the gymnasium, seminary and university in Lviv, refuted the allegations about his studies in Rome, revealed the "career path" from an employee of the archcathedral in Lviv to the dean of Rohatyn deanery, his pastoral and public activities, shows the consistent evolution of his social political views from populist to national democrat. Conclusions: The formation of the worldview of Fr. Stepan Gorodetsky from childhood, associated with social background from a peasant family, studying at school in Halych and gymnasium in Brzezany, then at the seminary and university in Lviv, prompted him to choose a priestly vocation (celibate). Already during his studies at the gymnasium and seminary, and then at the beginning of his priestly "career" in the Cathedral of St. Yuri in Lviv, prefect of the seminary, military chaplain in the reserve, chaplain of the Metropolitan of Halych and "government official" of the metropolitan consistory Fr. Stepan Gorodetsky proved to be a consistent pastor and populist in socio-political beliefs. Already in the role of the pastor of the village of Verbylivtsi, and later also the dean of Rohatyn, he launched active pastoral and public activities, focusing on spreading education among the faithful through the centers of "Enlightenment" and "Native School" and Ukrainian private gymnasium in Rohatyn, forming the economic basis of Ukrainian people through the development of the cooperative movement. In 1918 he supported the proclamation of the Western Ukrainian People's Republic, for which he was later persecuted by the Polish authorities. In the postwar period, he focused his efforts on restoring the organized social life of Ukrainians - the centers of "Enlightenment", "Native School", cooperatives, the party organization UNDO.