The Figure of the Metropolitan Ignatius in the Construction of Identity and Historical Memory of the Azov Greeks

Abstract

The article examines the transformation of the image of Metropolitan Ignatius in historiography and its use for constructing ethnic identity and historical memory of the Greeks of Ukrainian Northern Azov Sea region. The article analyzes historical and local historical literature and periodicals of the imperial, Soviet and post-Soviet periods. The analysis showed that the imperatives of modeling the image of the Metropolitan varied according to the political situation and the dominant ideology. The article concentrates on current commemorative practices that contribute to the formation of apologetic image of metropolitan and his cult, especially after Ignatius’ canonization by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate). The figure of Ignatius serves for ethnic consolidation and complementarity in the context of an alien ethnic environment.