- published: 29 Oct 2015
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Ukrainian culture refers to the culture associated with the country of Ukraine and sometimes with ethnic Ukrainians. It contains elements of other Eastern European cultures, as well as some Western European influences. Within Ukraine, there are a number of other ethnic groups with sizeable populations, most notably Russians. Ukrainian customs are heavily influenced by the Eastern Orthodox Church and Pre-Christian Alpine traditions still present in Slavic mythology.
Ukraine has a shared culture with neighboring nations, dating back to the 9th century and the Land of Rus. Mutual influence is particularly apparent among the cultures of Russia, Ukraine, Poland, and Belarus.
Religion is practiced throughout the country. Eastern Orthodox Christianity and Eastern Catholicism are the two most widely practiced religions. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church is the largest in the country. Faithful of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, the second largest, practice Byzantine rites, but are united with the Roman Catholic Church.