Brotherhood of Cyril and Methodius

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The Kyrill-und-Method-Fraternity ( Ukrainian Кирило-Мефодіївське товариство ) was a society of liberal intellectuals in Kiev in the Russian Empire from 1845/46 to 1847. They played a central role in the development of national consciousness in Ukraine .

history

The group was founded in 1845 by the historian Mykola Kostomarov . It was a loose association of twelve members known by name today, including Taras Shevchenko , Pantelejmon Kulisch , Wassyl Biloserskyj , Opanas Markewytsch , Dmytro Pylchykow and Mykola Hulak as well as an unknown number of other sympathizers. One hundred people were named for a meeting. In March 1847 the brotherhood was betrayed, the known members arrested and sentenced to exile or prison.

aims

The aim of the brotherhood was a social order according to Christian principles such as justice, freedom, equality and brotherhood. Likewise, the ideas of the Brotherhood were influenced by the ideas of Romanticism , especially Polish poetry and those of the Decembrists and Pan-Slavists .

According to the statutes drawn up by Mykola Kostomarov, the brotherhood had set itself the goal of creating a spiritual and political association of the Slavs, in which the individual peoples should have national governments. To achieve its goals, the Brotherhood sought a liberalization of Russian society with the equality of all citizens and equal rights for the various peoples in the Russian Empire, ideally in the form of a confederation. The members undertook to promote the upbringing of young people , to stand by their families in need, to work for the abolition of serfdom , civil privileges and torture, and to strive for harmony and tolerance. The members had to swear an oath of secrecy and loyalty.

The identification mark of the brotherhood was a gold ring with the inscription Sw. Kyrylo i Metodyj ("the saints Cyril and Method"). On the seal of the brotherhood was the motto Learn the truth and it will set you free!

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Difficult history of Ukrainian nationalism in the NZZ on March 13, 2014; accessed on February 22, 2017
  2. ↑ a b Article "Cyrill and Method Brotherhood" in the Encyclopedia of Ukraine ; accessed on February 20, 2017 (English)
  3. ↑ Beginnings of the Ukrainian National Movement in Small History of Ukraine , by Andreas Kappeler , page 119; Beck Verlag , Munich; ISBN 978-3-406-67019-0
  4. ↑ a b c Taras Shevchenko - A Ukrainian poet's life; Literary Study, p. 16; Alfred Jensen , Vienna 1916