THE FIGURE OF IVAN MAXYMOVYCH IN THE EDUCATIONAL SPACE OF THE CHERNIHIV COLLEGIUM: EUROPEAN AND NATIONAL CONTEXTS

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to identify the main features of Ivan Maksymovych's cultural, educational, social and political activities and to outline his contribution to the formation of the educational space of the Chernihiv Collegium in the early eighteenth century.

Methodology. The methodological basis of the study is historical methods of comparison and generalisation. The use of a systematic approach ensured the consideration of the personality of the church and political figure in relation to social events of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. In addition, biographical and cultural-historical methods of analysis contri­buted to a complete and comprehensive reproduction of the main milestones of I. Maksymovych's activity in the context of creating the educational space of the Chernihiv Collegium.

The scientific novelty of the article lies in an attempt to comprehensively study Ivan Maksymovych's contribution to the formation and development of the educational environment that was formed around the new type of spiritual educational institution – the Chernihiv Collegium; the key aspects of the clergyman's activity and his influence on the development of the leading educational institution of the eighteenth century in Chernihiv-Siverskiy region are outlined.

Conclusions. Ivan Maksymovych was undoubtedly one of the key figures of his time. His socio-political, educational, and literary activities still leave room for research by scholars in various fields. In particular, his activities in the field of formation of the educational space of the Chernihiv Collegium are not ignored by researchers. Favourable circumstances and state support from the hetman allowed Archbishop Ivan Maksymovych of Chernihiv to reorganise Lazar Baranovych's schools and create a qualitatively new type of educational institution in the region – the Chernihiv Collegium. In addition to building new premises, he ensured the expansion of classrooms to allow the school to become a collegium, and searched for qualified teaching staff for the institution. In addition, after the death of Lazar Baranovych, Ivan Maksymovych became the head of the Chernihiv literary and artistic centre of cultural figures, leading a wide range of scientific and literary activities on the territory of the college. Under his patronage, a significant number of original and translated editions of spiritual and moral content were published. All of Ivan Maksymovych's activities were aimed at building a new educational environment around the Chernihiv College, a leading centre of science and culture in the Chernihiv-Siversk region in the eighteenth century.