PREPARING THE CLERGY IN CONDITIONS OF MUKACHEVO THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL (1744 – 1776)

The article analyzes the historical and pedagogical principles of activity of the first educational institution, which was established to prepare the clergy in Transcarpathia – Mukachevo theological school (1744 – 1776). Purpose of the article is to: 1) identify the characteristics of the educational process in Mukachevo Theological School (1744 - 1776); 2) find out the factors that determine the process of formation and development of Ukrainian education in terms of different-national and different-religious Transcarpathian society. It has been found that in the absence of their own state, the church for centuries served as the center of national and cultural revival for the Transcarpathian Ukrainians. Mukachevo Bishop M.Olshavskyy on his own funds organized theological school that became the first educational institution for training clerks and priests. Preparation of the clergy in Mukachevo theological school combined requirements for education of pastor and personal (spiritual and moral). The problem of spirituality was dominant. Significant importance was given to the formation of higher moral feelings that reflect a social activity, namely, love to a neighbour, sociability, self-sacrifice and the highest level ‒ patriotism. The level of formed moral qualities was marked in metric of a pupil. The capacity for professional activities was assessed: singing skill, master on religious rituals, communication. Ukrainian clergy provided education in native language on a par with other European schools. A combination of education and formation of personal (spiritual and moral) qualities of the clergy became main feature in organization of teaching and educational process. A combination of high-level of theological education with the formation of spiritual and moral qualities on the national grounds became an important achievement of school activities. Training of clergy, creation of educational and religious books on the Ukrainian language promoted strengthening of Ukrainian traditions and the formation of national consciousness of Transcarpathians. From the negative side on the activities of educational institution influenced national and religious oppression by the ruling circles, lack of funding, low level of local population, including applicants, lack of experience in the organization of teaching and educational work, unstable structure of teachers, lack of educational and methodological support on the Ukrainian language. Despite the problems, Ukrainian clergy managed to lay the foundations of the national school. Mukachevo theological school became the center of the restoration and preservation of ethnic identity of Transcarpathian Ukrainians.