THE PROBLEM OF NATIONAL IDENTITY IN THE ECCLESIASTICAL CATHOLIC CULTURE OF AUSTRIA OF THE XVIII CENTURY

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to consider the development of the ecclesiastical culture of Catholic countries (Austria, Germany, Poland) on the example of Austria of the XVIII century. It is important to point out and analyze the specific features of the Austrian national culture and its uniqueness in the hierarchical system of the world religious cultures. Methodology. To achieve this purpose, the following logical and semantic research methods were used: historical-dialectical (for the analysis of historical and cultural processes in Austria of the mentioned period), literary studies (for the consideration of church liturgical works) and a method of theoretical generalization that allows us to consider the Austrian church art in the context of the ecclesiastical culture. Scientific novelty. Despite the existence of a number of studies devoted to Catholic culture in the field of art and culture, in Ukrainian science this topic did not become the subject of a comprehensive study. The connection between the European and Ukrainian ecclesiastical traditions is important for understanding the Catholic national culture and art. This led to the choice of the topic of this work. Conclusions. A specific  feature of the Catholic ecclesiastical culture is its confessional differentiation. It was formed under the influence of the historical and geographical conditions of the society. The Austrian national component in the ecclesiastical culture of Catholic countries as a system of aesthetic national values is closely linked with the establishment and preservation of Catholic national traditions. This means that Austrian church art and ecclesiastical culture are important components of the hierarchical system of religious culture, which main value lies in the socio-reproductive creative activity of artists in the sphere of consciousness. This in its turn is closely related to the transcendent sphere of activity, as well as to the high artistic level and artists’ skills. That’s why, like in other national cultures, the ecclesiastical culture of Austria has a national-religious character.