PRIEST LEV-MYKOLA BURNADZ (1896–1947): THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE BIOGRAPHY

Abstract

In the article on the basis of the analysis of archival documents, statistical data and memoirs, with application of a biographical method, the reconstruction of the biography of the extraordinary Greek-Catholic priest Lev-Mykola Burnadz in the conditions of various state political systems of the first half of the ХХ century was carried out.

The work traced back the process of mindset formation in the family of the priest and during the period of study in Kolomyia gymnasium. It also emphasized the crystallization of the national consciousness, which induced to military service in the Austria-Hungary Army and in the Ukrainian Galician Army.

The study indicated the evolution of the belief system in the post-war time as one of the choice factors of a state of a celibate priest. Besides, it analysed the vicarial and public activity of L.-M. Burnadz in Patsykiv and Silets villages, and Horodenka and Stanislaviv cities. It was supposed that social and political views of the priest were a synthesis of a centrist national and democratic and conservative Christian public movements.

It was also established that during the violent elimination of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church he refused to transfer to Russian Orthodox Church for what he was repressed and died in exile. Specifications of some separate details of L.-M. Burnadz’s biography by the subsequent researchers will promote the preparation of documents for beatification process.

Keywords: platoon leader of the Austrian Army, lieutenant of Ukrainian Galician Army, celibate priest, employee, parish administrator, confessor of the faith.