The Legacy of Antiquity in Educational and Cultural Practices of Orthodox Colleges of Ukraine in the 18th century

The purpose of the paper is to characterize the Chernihiv, Kharkiv and Pereiaslav collegiums as cultural mediators in the process of bringing the society of Hetmanate and Sloboda Ukraine to the Antiquity heritage in the 18th century. The scientific novelty. The range of Antiquity literature studied by students of Chernihiv, Kharkiv and Pereiaslav colleges at different stages of their studies has been determined. It was established that teachers and students of Orthodox colleges in the 18th century, in addition to using European textbooks, directly consulted the works of Ancient Greek and Ancient Roman authors. Based on the analysis of various sources, the specifics of the coexistence of classical and Orthodox Christian traditions in these schools are revealed; the channels and forms of adaptation of the Antiquity heritage offered by colleges to the local society are characterized. These questions are important for identifying the specifics of cultural diffusions, the results of the ‘dialogue of cultures’, the directions of the transfer of cultural innovations on Ukrainian lands in the early modern era. Conclusions. It is proven that the Antiquity heritage in Orthodox colleges was not only an important element of educational practices, but also became an object of intellectuals’ understanding and a kind of cultural code in the process of adapting cultural innovations. Such an understanding (comprehension) took place by teachers writing manuals and translating the works of ancient Greek and Roman authors, carrying out the first scientific studies of Antiquity art, etc. The development of Antiquity heritage in colleges took place within the Eastern Christian tradition, but through the mediation of Jesuit colleges and Western European universities. Throughout the history of colleges, Christian themes and symbols did not conflict, but were organically combined with ancient ones. It is argued that the reception of Antiquity heritage went beyond the boundaries of Orthodox colleges, becoming part of urban cultural practices. A characteristic feature of the cultural practices of colleges was the interweaving of elements of Antiquity heritage with Ukrainian folk tradition. Classical antiquity to a large extent became a kind of intertext, mastering which defined one’s status as a member of the intellectual elite. The actualization of Antiquity cultural heritage at the Orthodox colleges was not only the result of sharing in the lasting European tradition of the Baroque era, but also a factor in the assimilation of the principles of humanism, and eventually ideas of the Enlightenment.