RELIGIOUS LIFE IN CRIMEA(Review of the Center of Information and Documentation for Crimean Tatars As of 01.01.2001, there were 888 registered religious organizations in Crimea, including 865 communities and 47 confessions. In comparison with 1999, the number of religious communities increased by 82, or by 10,2%. This increase was mainly due to increase of Moslem communities (53%) and Orthodox ones (20 %). Overall, last year representatives of 17 confessions registered their communities. After registration of the Spiritual Board of Crimean Karaites, a number of religious communities’ boards grew to seven. Besides, there are 6 monasteries in Crimea (5 of them Orthodox), 4 brotherhoods, and 3 of each – missions and religious educational establishments. The Orthodox (43 %) and Moslem (30 %) religious organizations constitute the majority. Evangelical Christians-Baptists come third (43 communities), followed by Christians of Whole Gospel – 32, and Jehovah’s Witnesses – 20. However, by the number of followers, Jehovah’s Witnesses are first among all evangelical confession (over more 5, 000 members). In addition to the 5 confessions named above, 8 more are represented by 10 or more religious communities. Among them are 15 communities of Adventist of the Seventh-day, and 14 each of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Kyiv Patriarchy (UOC KP) and the Charismatics. Christians of Evangelical Christians have 13 communities, Roman Catholics – 11. Another 10 confessions have only one community, and 7 of those have not increased their membership for the last five years. 12 other confessions have 2 communities each, among them the Ukrainian Autocephalos Orthodox Church, Russian Orthodox Church of Old Belief, Mormons, Salvation Army, Greek-Catholics, and others. The growth of religious communities occurs in rural localities. If ten years ago rural parishes constituted only 12 %, by 01.01.2001 they constituted already 60,1%. This tendency will continue in the coming years. Currently more than 500 rural localities do not have any religious organization. Among 10 most popular confessions, rural communities of Moslems constitute 77,2%, Ukrainian Orthodox Church – 70%, and Evangelical Christians-Baptists – 60,4%. The communities of Adventist of the Seventh Day (ASD), Charismatics, and Full Gospel are mainly urban ( 93,1 %, 78,5% and 62,5% respectively). For the first time, in the last years 2 communities stopped their activity (self-dissolved): UOC KP and Daos Church. Analysis of the body of ministers By 1 January 2001, there were 723 member of the clergy of all confessions, which is 67 more (a 10% increase) than in 1999. This increase was mainly due to increase of the number of imams of the new Moslem communities that formed within the Spiritual Board of Crimea’s Moslems (SBCM) - 29 persons, plus 12 from the newly established autonomous Moslem communities. Number of orthodox priests increased by 10 persons. According to traditions of Islam, imams head all Moslem communities. However, only 30 of them graduated from two year programs in the madrasah, while 200 imams finished monthly courses in the muftiat. The SBCM partially solves the problem of training by its own efforts. Training of imams in madrasah continues: on the basis of secondary school – 24, on the basis of 9 year education – in Azovsk and Krasnohvardiisk where 136 (of them 24 girls) and 38 persons respectively are studying. There is a shortage of clergy also in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Only 52% of the UOC parishes have clergy. At the same time, the quality of clergy has improved. Currently, 69% have secondary or higher clerical education, 3 are candidates of theological science, and one is a candidate of medical science. 37 persons have secondary vocational education, and 22 have higher secular education. 82 (45 %) of the clergy is from Crimea, 12% were born or came from Russia, 17 came to Crimea from Ternopil oblast, and 10 each came from Zakarpatska oblast and Central and Southeast oblasts of Ukraine. 4 each came from Lviv and Rivne oblasts. With regard to other CIS states, only Belarus and Kazakhstan are representing by 3 clergymen each. Two-year courses are taught at Simferopol and Crimean eparchy, but they do not have a status of clergy educational establishment. Currently 60 persons are enrolled in these courses. However, these courses only partially solve the problem. All Protestant Christian organizations have sufficient number of ministers. Besides usual replacement of ministers (who depart mainly abroad) with new ones, Protestants solve personnel issue on professional basis. For example, in 1999 Crimean Association of Evangelical Christians-Baptists registered 2 colleges with extramural education. 50 are enrolled in Simferopol college and 68 in Yalta college. These are the first group of students. They do not have their own premises, so classes are held in worship buildings. Teachers are mainly local ministers and graduates of religious education establishments in Ukraine. The main goal these religious educational establishments is to train ministers for establishing new communities, mainly in rural regions of Crimea. Representatives of other Protestant associations study in Biblical institutions in the Baltic States, in Moscow, and in some regions of Ukraine. From the time of their registration, none of the communities of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church has clergy. Communities of Karaites, Krymchaks, and Koreans also have problems with clergy. Financial situation of religious organizations By 01.01.2001, religious communities owned or were given to use for free 387 religious buildings, which satisfies the needs of 44,6% of communities. This is one of the lowest percentage in Ukraine. The reasons for this are rapid increase in the number of new religious communities in Crimea, and limited opportunities to construct or purchase new buildings. Buildings formerly used for religious purposes that are not yet returned to religious communities would not significantly improve the situation. At the same time, the Directive of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine from 07.05.1998 # 209 “On ensuring gradual return of religious buildings which are not used or are used for other purposes” is not properly implemented. Of the 23 former religious buildings included in list approved by vice prime minister of Ukraine, only 7 were returned so far. In comparison, on the list for Ukraine overall there are 122 former religious buildings, of them more than 70 are already returned. Of the 16 not yet returned buildings in Crimea 11 are mosques. The main reason of the non-return of buildings is that most of them are used for housing and other economic purposes, or, in violating of the law, became non-state property. Only communities of the Armenian Apostolic Church are completely provided with religious buildings. Representatives of nearly all confessions rent premises for religious needs. In total, 348 premises are rented. For the most part these are premises of cultural institutions and offices. Religious communities of ethno-confessional minorities German Evangelic-Lutheran Church in Crimea is a member of the Synod of GELC (Odessa) and is represented by 5 communities. Simferopol and Kerch communities have premises. However, the question of return of religious buildings in Simferopol and Sudak remains unresolved. 6 autonomous Lutheran communities are oriented towards establishing an all-Ukrainian association of Lutheran churches, but in the short term are not going to change their autonomous status. Lately a pastor from Dnipropetrovsk caters to these communities. Only Yalta Lutheran community has a building. In 1999 the issue of allotment of a land plot for enlargement of the church was solved. During the last year significant changes took place in organizational structure of Crimean Karaites. The Spiritual Board of Crimean Karaites was legally registered and began functioning. In Evpatoria the reconstruction of kenassa is nearing completion. The altar, which is a historical value, was restored. A local resident of Tiriayaki manages the services and is already perceived by believers as a spiritual leader and a minister. Publishing and research of the Crimean Karaites promotes cultural and spiritual rebirth. At the same time, a number of property problems remain unresolved. First of all, it is the problem of kenassa in Simferopol where currently some offices of the TV Company "Crimea" are located, and two kenassas located on the territory of Bakhchisaray state preserve. All communities of Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) have religious buildings. Only abbey Surb-Khach located 4 km from Staryi Krym (Old Crimea) has not been returned. So far there has been no claims to return this abbey, though lately representatives of the Staryi Krym community began to address organizational issues with regard to the return of this abbey. One should also note that religious buildings that were given to the Armenian association and are architectural monuments are in bad conditions and require significant repairs. Four communities of Orthodox Greeks act within the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Sunday school for children and adults function in all communities. The main direction of their activity is revival of language, traditions and folklore. Close contacts with Orthodox religious associations in Greece were established. Humanitarian assistance also arrives from Greece. Christian protestant religious organizations Evangelical Christians-Baptists (ECB) remain the most numerous and influential among protestant confessions. Last year, four communities were registered, three of them in rural area. This tendency and pace will likely continue in the coming years because since last year 2 colleges oriented on training ministers for rural regions are operating. It is necessary to note that 37 of 43 communities have religious buildings. This constitute 86% - the highest level among all protestant confessions of Crimea. Only 6 communities rent premises for conduct of religious meetings. Financial assistance from co-believers in the USA and Germany made this possible. Three groups of the ECB Council of Churches (ECB CC) continue to operate without registration. They categorically refuse to register their groups. At the same time, their followers in some cases attend the meetings of officially registered communities. Two communities of Korean Church of ECB act outside of the ECB Council. They number about 150 persons. For the most part these are citizens of Korean ethnicity, but there is no national exclusivity among members of the community and there are representatives of different nationalities among believers. 3 Presbyterian communities of more than 250 members are mainly Korean. Last year, at the request of the members, the "Korean" was excluded from names of the communities. This signifies desire of the community to increase its following by appealing to citizens of other ethnicities. With the aim of strengthening missionary activity in Crimea, a 10-day seminar under title "Stand up and Go" was conducted in Korean communities with the participation of missioners from Korea. Number of communities of Adventist of Seventh Day stabilized. Half of them has religious buildings. Representatives of these communities actively participation in inter-ethnic and inter-confessional dialogues and other events. Charismatic Churches have 14 communities. The number has not changed in the last three years. They rent premises to conduct meetings for prayer. Churches of Whole Gospel increased by 3 communities. They have 3 religious buildings. Number of their believers is unstable, as well as the composition of the leadership organs of community which changes frequently. There are 13 communities in Crimea of Christians of Evangelical Religion (Pentecostalists). Already for a long time they have no unity in organization questions. The Simferopol community of CBE is the most powerful organizationally. It keeps close contacts with co-believers in Germany, from where every year they receive 100-120 tones of humanitarian goods. Of the Methodist Churches, Kerch community is the fully functioning one. 2 communities registered in Simferopol by Graduates of Moscow seminary are not active because of departure of the organizers to Russia. Of the Christian communities, 3 didn't function last year. The Simferopol community bought a meeting house built in early 1990s by ECB believers. Currently it actively conducts international activity. Its representatives teach in the Ukrainian-American College of Management and Economics. New religions. Totalitarian and destructive cults. Some new religions, which until recently were perceived very carefully by local population and representatives of other confessions, gradually find their niche in the religious map of the peninsula. First of all, Association of Perception of Krishna, Salvation Army, Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints, and World Pure Religion. Their number has stabilized, in some cases even reduced, and they do not exert any significant influence on the population. In April 1999, the statute of yoga-ashram (abbey) Gukhyasamadzha was registered. Last year the Committee on Religious Affairs received a number of complains from citizens about broken families. There was lawsuit against former adherents of the abbey for cheating when arranging charitable donations of the real estate. The law enforcement organs on many occasions applied administrative fines for violation of passport regime and article 24 of the Law of Ukraine "On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organization". Studies with the participation of psychologists and psychiatrists allowed to make a conclusion that the activity of this association is of totalitarian character. In May 2000, the Committee on Religious Affairs filed a lawsuit to stop the activity of abbey to Kyiv district regional court of Simferopol city. However the lawsuit was not yet considered by the court. From 1993, the University of Makharishi Makhesh Yogi functions in Crimea. It is registered by the Ministry of Justice of Crimea as an NGO. In September last year a conflic arose when the university tried to receive land in the southern coast of Crimea (Partenit) for construction of an educational center of Transcendent meditation. Head of the village council supported this idea in a hope to f receive funds for the development of village infrastructure. However, promises of University of Makharshi were only plans. The project sparked vocal protest by the local population, media, and traditional confessions. As a result, the project was refused. For its part, the University by Makharishi Makhesh Yogi held a conference on 12 August 2000 where it was decided to raise the activity of current 13 local communities. In Crimea there are also some followers of the Church of Vissarion, Scientology, Kalka Avatar and some others that are considered internationally as destructive and totalitarian. There is no any information on their activity. It was established that some of the followers of the foundation “Holy Kiivan Rus” (headed by a citizen of Russia Yu. P. Kuharskyi who was convicted multiple times and is a dangerous criminal, and who arrived from Rivne) are in Evpatoria. Existing groups of Satanists abandoned the tactic of mass damages to cemeteries and ruination of Orthodox shrines. However this problem remains topical and requires more detailed research. In recent months new creed “Kut-khumi” was spreading in Crimea, its adherents use meditation techniques. Use of Mass Media In 2000, religious organizations in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea had 5 publications, including newspapers of the Simferopol and Crimean Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church “Orthodox Tavrida” and “Herald of Evpatoria Charity”, of the Kosmo-Damianivskyi Abbey “Life-Giving Spring”, of the Spiritual Board of Moslems “Khidayet”, and of the regional association of Evangelical Christians-Baptists “Life and Faith”. Due to lack of funds Charismatic Churches temporarily suspended publishing newspaper “New Life.” Regional newspapers in Crimea mostly publish materials by two traditional confessions of Crimea: Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Moslems. As usual, these are publications by the religious leaders on the occasion of upcoming holidays and activities conducted by these communities. Two times a month radio station “Panorama Belogoria” (Bilohirsk) broadcasts the program “Spiritual.” Priest of the Holy-Nikolskyi Temple Vyacheslav Kharchenko conducts it. In 2000 Yalta TV started running a series of programs “From Christmas Day to Easter Day", dedicated to the 2000th Anniversary of the Nativity. Reduction of broadcasting time of the State TV Company “Krym” resulted in complete disappearance of spiritual programs. At the same time, prominently figure on commercial TV channels programs of the Church of Christians of Whole Gospel “The Voice of Believer”, “Good News with Ricky Renner”, and “Life in the Word.” This is not due to raising interest of the viewers to these programs, but due to the fact that the clients have financial opportunities to pay for broadcasting. Informational programs of different Crimean channels broadcast on the problem of religious life as well. Brief information on the Committee on Religion The staff of Committee on religion is 5 persons, all of them civil servants. There were no any resignations last year, and no new hires. The composition of Committee is:
In the personnel reserve for positions of 1-3 category 3 people were included, or them 1 from formerly deported. In total, the personnel reserve 6 persons are included, of them 3 men and 3 women, with higher education – 5; under 30 years of age – 2; 30-40 years old – 2; 40 – 50 years old – 2. By specialty: law – 2; arts and sciences – 4. |