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« 2025. # 4 (184)

The Ethnology Notebooks. 2025. № 4 (184), 900—919

UDK398.332.412:395.83(477-651.2:470-651.1)

DOI https://doi.org/10.15407/

«TOMU SVIATYJ MYKOLAJ NA VSIAKYJ CHAS POMAHAJ»: TRANSFORMATION OF IDEAS ABOUT SAINT NICHOLAS DURING THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN WAR

HOROSHKO-POHORETSKA Lesya

  • ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8741-2467
  • Candidate of Historical Sciences, Senior Researcher
  • at the Ethnology Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine,
  • 15, Svobody Avenue, 79000, Lviv, Ukraine,
  • Contacts: e-mail: horoshyna@gmail.com

Abstract. The topic of the study arose as a result of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation into the territory of Ukraine, which demonstrates its relevance. 

The purpose of the investigation is to trace the transformation of traditional ideas about Saint Nicholas during the Russian-Ukrainian war, since the context of the mentioned topic deals with the newest accents of traditional ideas of Ukrainians that relate to the image of Nicholas. The usual perception of the saint as the patron of sailors and travelers was expressed in his vision as the patron of the naval forces of Ukraine and the military in general, since they are in the permanent status of travelers during the war. As a result of the transition of Ukrainian churches to the New Julian calendar, the day of Saint Nicholas was combined with the Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and this strengthened the connection between the images of Nicholas and the Ukrainian military. Another staunch image of this saint is his perception as a giver. And this traditional property of his in the latest military realities was transformed in accordance with the needs of the time: the action «Nicholas in camouflage», the purpose of which is to give gifts to servicemen, and the givers are usually children; prayers to Nicholas with a request for peace, victory of Ukraine, return of parents and sons home; children’s letters to Nicholas, in which they either do not ask for anything for themselves, because there is a war in the country, or they ask for weapons for the military. 

The research used a methodology based on general scientific methodological principles and basic requirements for works of historical and ethnological interest: a comprehensive analysis of various sources, based on comparative-historical, comparative methods and the method of included observation, which makes it possible to trace the transformation of the image of this saint and the ideas associated with him in the cultural space of modern Ukraine.

Sources for research include greeting cards, memes, original poetry, modern songs, visual works, posts on social networks, publications in the media, and observations of children’s holidays. 

The time frame of the study covers the period 2014—2024.

Keywords: St. Nicholas, Russian-Ukrainian war, military context, serviceman, ideas, gifts.

Received 2.08.2025

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