CERKWIE GRECKOKATOLICKIE W OLESZYCACH I STARYCH OLESZYCACH. ZARYS DZIEJÓW I OBRAZ SZTUKI

The Greek-Catholic churches in Oleszyce and Stare Oleszyce are relics of the old multi-culture Eastern Galicia. In that world religious communities played an important role, which went way beyond celebrating church services. Undoubtedly, among the nations that lived in Eastern Galicia, it was the Ukrainians that used religious art and architecture to the largest extent as an instrument of consolidation of their own community and national identity. Impressive, visible from a distance domes of the churches in Oleszyce and Stare Oleszyce were supposed to show the growing ambitions of the local Greek-Catholic parish and an increasing social and cultural significance of the congregation. Unfortunately, the present state of the churches is deplorable and they need urgent renovation.