The Rt Rev. Avgustyn Ivanovych Monsignor Voloshyn (, , 17 March 1874 – 19 July 1945), also known as Augustin Voloshyn, was a Carpatho-Ukrainian politician, teacher, essayist, and Greek Catholic priest of the Eparchy of Mukachevo in Czechoslovakia.

He was president of independent Carpatho-Ukraine (15–18 March 1939) during its existence.

Early life and education

Avgustyn Voloshyn was born 17 March 1874 in Kelecsény, Carpathian Ruthenia, Austria-Hungary (now Kelechyn, Ukraine). The Voloshyn family were freed serfs, who in terms of social class were between the peasants and nobility.

After completing primary school, he started studying at the gymnasium in Uzhhorod in 1883. and in 1924 was appointed a papal chamberlain (thus gaining the title of Monsignor). From 1900 to 1917 he was a professor of mathematics at Uzhhorod Teacher Institute.

In 1918 he became head of the Subcarpathian National Council, Following the breakup of Czechoslovakia in March 1939, Voloshyn tried to proclaim Carpatho-Ukraine's independence and, with the help of local units of the Czechoslovak Army, on 15 March 1939 for a few hours became president of Carpatho-Ukraine.

thumb|Voloshyn cenotaph at [[Olšany Cemetery]]

In 2002, by decree of then Ukrainian president Leonid Kuchma, Voloshyn was recognized as a Hero of Ukraine, with the civilian decoration of the Order of the State.

See also

  • Military history of Carpathian Ruthenia during World War II
  • First Vienna Award
  • Second Vienna Award
  • Carpatho-Ukraine

References

Further reading

  • Tomeš, Josef. Biografický slovník Vol. III. <!-- he published two works with this name, ISBN should be added -->
  • Avhustyn Voloshyn at the Encyclopedia of Ukraine
  • Deportation of Voloshyn (in Czech)

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