Christian Communities During Russia’s War Against Ukraine: Perception of the Churches’ Aid Involvement Through the Eyes of Poles from Lviv—A Pilot Study

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to present the perceptions of Poles from Lviv regarding the aid involvement of Christian churches during Russia’s war against Ukraine. Christian churches appear privileged and effective sites of aid delivery in the narratives of respondents. However, this does not mean that they have a monopoly on aid activities. The foundation that underpins these activities is particularly evident in the categories highlighted in this article: the role of clergy in local communities (leaders), personal knowledge of society, church infrastructure, and the churches’ experience gained during the USSR’s persecution of religion. The assistance identified by respondents boils down to material and emotional support, experiencing religious practices, and involvement in direct activity on the war front. The research was based on individual in-depth interviews (IDIs), conducted in December 2023.

Keywords

• Poles
• Lviv
• Russia’s war against Ukraine
• humanitarian efforts
• relief efforts
• Christian Churches