SACRED ARCHITECTURE AS A REFLECTION OF SPIRITUAL AND NATIONAL IDENTITY IN UKRAINIAN CULTURE

Abstract

The article focuses on the analysis of sacred architecture as a significant reflection of spiritual and national identity in Ukrainian culture.  The purpose of the study is to trace how sacred architecture in different historical eras reflected the spiritual and national identity of Ukrainians. Specifically, the study aims to explore the features of sacred architecture from antiquity to the present, including the influences of Greek colonization, the development of early Christian temples, the formation of unique princely churches, regional characteristics of wooden architecture, the aesthetic achievements of Ukrainian Baroque, the impact of European styles in the 19th century, and the revival of sacred architecture in the 1990s. The study employed general scientific methods of cognition. The historical and cultural method allowed for determining the context of the development of architectural styles in various periods. The comparative method facilitated the comparison of stages in the formation of sacred structures and their influences, while the analytical method provided an in-depth examination of architectural forms, styles, and symbolism. Sacred architecture in Ukraine has served as a spiritual and cultural center throughout various historical periods, reflecting aspirations for national identity and spiritual self-determination. During the princely era, unique three-nave churches were created, combining Eastern Christian traditions with local artistic influences. The flourishing of Ukrainian Baroque in the 18th century symbolized a creative adaptation of European styles, highlighting aesthetic expressiveness and national character. The revival of sacred architecture in the 1990s became a manifestation of national renewal, where the restoration of churches and the creation of new sanctuaries blended historical traditions with modern architectural approaches. The study demonstrated that Ukraine's sacred architecture is a unique cultural phenomenon that evolved under the influence of historical, religious, and social circumstances. Its forms and styles at each stage of development reflected the profound spiritual values of the Ukrainian people. At the same time, architecture served as an important instrument of national self-determination, especially evident during the Ukrainian Baroque era and the period of resacralization at the end of the 20th century.