Number DOI: http://doi.org/10.33209/2519-4348-2707-9627-2025-13-183

Volynskyi Blahovisnyk. № 13. 2025. P. 311-331.

Summary

The article is devoted to the study of the phenomenon of sacred heroism in Orthodox sermons during wartime, in particular in the conditions of the full-scale war of 2022–2025 in Ukraine. Since the beginning of the war, the Orthodox Church, like other religious institutions, has been faced with the need to provide spiritual support to a society experiencing suffering, loss, and moral trials. The author examines how a new image of heroism is being formed in homiletic rhetoric, which combines military valor with a spiritual dimension, endowing the feat of Ukrainian defenders with sacred content. The article examines the main theological archetypes of heroism presented in sermons: martyr, warrior of Christ, defender of truth, righteous man. The role of rhetorical techniques, such as contrasts of good and evil, the use of historical and biblical parallels, as well as emotional appeals to moral stability, is separately considered. The study of transformations in the theological understanding of war allows us to better understand how the religious word supports believers, preserves the spiritual stability of the nation, and shapes attitudes toward war, heroes, and the enemy. The article determines how Ukrainian Orthodox preachers in religious texts emphasize heroism as a spiritual mission based on sacrifice, particularly in the context of the exploits of warrior-defenders who not only fight evil but also give their lives for their neighbors. The article notes that through the sacralization of heroism, the Orthodox Church forms the image of the hero-defender as a sacred figure, similar to the martyrs and holy warriors of antiquity. The key images found in sermons are the holy warrior, martyr, and righteous man, whose sacrifice is the central motif of religious preaching. In particular, the images of Archangel Michael and Saint George the Serpent-Slayer have become symbols of defenders fighting for truth and freedom from evil. Such an understanding of war allows not only to raise the morale of society, but also to create a theological justification for devotion to the cause of defending one’s country. Despite the fact that in the context of modern war, the sermon is focused on heroism and the fight against evil, the emphasis is also placed on the importance of humility, love, and sacrifice, as these traits are considered central to Christian heroism. During war, a Ukrainian warrior is perceived not only as a patriot, but also as a spiritual fighter for truth, symbolizing the struggle of light against darkness. The study of sacred heroism in Orthodox preaching shows how the Church adapts its theological concepts to the realities of war, supporting the morale of the nation and transforming the exploits of modern heroes into sacred acts that have eternal value in the context of Christian faith. The article also emphasizes that the rhetoric of wartime in Orthodox preaching is an important tool for strengthening social stability and spiritual revival of the nation. Prospects for further research include studying the impact of this sacred heroism on collective memory, on the process of canonization of new saints and on the development of the theology of war and peace in Orthodoxy in the post-war period.

Key words: Sacred heroism, Orthodox preaching, war, warrior-defenders, martyrs, sacrifice, typology, homiletic heritage.

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