Spór o genezę bractw cerkiewnych w literaturze historycznej

The article has discussed the issue of origin of Orthodox Brotherhoods. Historians’ opinions on the origin and background of Orthodox Brotherhoods differ considerably. Some historians claimed they derived from House Brotherhoods operating in Ruthenia, others believed they were established in effect of Magdeburg Law while some connected their beginnings with craft guilds. Moreover, it was also assumed that Orthodox Brotherhoods emerged due to the attempted defence to preserve Orthodox Church in difficult religious and political conditions, or the attempted reforms of Orthodox Church in effect of the decline of Orthodox hierarchy at the end of the 16th century. The article invokes different opinions of Polish and Russian historians as well as the author’s own opinion thereon.