Let us define civilization as the enduring combination of society and culture, existing in a given area, defined primarily by one religion. This would mean that the organization of a society, its major cultural forms, and its dominant type of individual mentality are informed by, or give expression to, the major religion of a given area. I stress religion as the defining reality of civilization because it is religion which provides the most compelling beliefs, values, norms, goals, and stories.
Given
this understanding of civilization, the map below (commons.wikimedia.org) would
indicate that civilization in Europe is determined primarily by Christianity.
A glance at the map above indicates that Ukraine almost wholly falls within the Orthodox area of Europe. A closer look at western Ukraine, however, indicates that a small area there shares Catholicism with its Polish neighbors across the border to the west. It is in this small area of Ukraine near Poland that Lviv is located.
What’s interesting about Lviv is that it sits right on this border between the Catholic or Latin West and the Orthodox or Greek East. So it has a Latin (Roman Catholic) Cathedral near its central Market Square. It has several Orthodox churches. Finally, and uniquely, it has St. George’s Cathedral which, until recently, served as the center of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church—an organization formed in 1596 and whose churches uniquely blend Orthodox liturgy and practices with recognition of the pope in Rome as their ruler.
Jews have been present in Lviv since its founding in the mid-1200s. By the early twentieth century, Jews formed a third of Lviv’s population and worshiped in almost 100 synagogues. Together they formed a vibrant island of Jewish Civilization in the ocean of Christendom.
To summarize Lviv’s religious context: it was founded in Christendom but on the border of the Latin West and Greek East. Some might say it has existed for centuries on the border of Western and Eastern civilizations. As a result, it continues to be influenced by Catholic and Orthodox traditions separately and together in the form of the Greek Catholic Church. Lviv also enjoyed a vibrant embodiment of Jewish Civilization for centuries until 1939.
Today we briefly reflected on the religious context of Lviv as a microcosm. Use these reflections to guide the exploration of the religious context where you are. Our shared goal is to live as more radiant witnesses to Jesus Christ in our own place and time.