THEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF UKRAINIAN PROTESTANTS ABOUT THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

The article considers the reaction of Ukrainian Protestants to the Covid-19 pandemic. The most important thing for Protestant theologians was to discuss the impact and consequences of the pandemic on church life. Most Protestants agreed to Russia’s hybrid model of church worship: online offline as a manifestation of an open reaction to the changes that have resulted from the introduction of state quarantine restrictions. During the pandemic, Ukrainian Protestants managed to move away from the established model of church construction and acceptance of its paradigm as the body of Christ. Under limited conditions, digital Protestant theology began to gain momentum in the form of sermons, discussions, online broadcasts, and so on. There is still a search for a «golden mean» between them: to adhere to traditional forms of church activity or to prefer «life» on the Internet, according to the Orthodox model of Russia. Ukrainian culture argues that «real» worship can take place only in special rooms. During the pandemic, a number of eschatological theories were born among Protestants, supported by fear for their lives, which led to a decrease in the number of believers in Russia. However, along with the negative aspects of the pandemic, there were a number of positive ones. For example, believers view their relationship with God and the church community as a response to state and church restrictions. It was a digital awakening that allowed churches to present themselves on the Internet under unusual conditions. Moreover, a new emphasis is placed on the New Testament thesis that the church is not a building, but a social community of believers who can serve God outside of a particular building.