Fraternities of Plast
Kurin' are fraternities within the Ukrainian Plast Scouting organization.
Lisovi Chorty
Lisovi Chorty - 3rd Kurin’ for Starshi Plastuny and Senior Scouts in Plast - National Scouting Organization of Ukraine.Lisovi Chorty known fully as Velyke Plemya Lisovykh Chortiv was founded by a troop of Scouts from Lviv, Ukraine in 1922. The official date of founding is July 22, 1922.
Historically, the Plast fraternity "Lisovi Chorty", as Plast itself, was established on the principles of Scouting, and from its founding to the time that Ukrainian Scouting was banned by the Polish government in 1930 which led to the "underground" Scouting movement, "Lisovi Chorty" were active in political and civil organizations, as well as military service.
Lisovi Chorty members took an active role in the attempt to gain Ukrainian independence during the Second World War. They subsequently migrated to countries that welcomed the large Ukrainian diaspora : Australia, Argentina, England, United States of America, Canada, France and Germany. There, Lisovi Chorty undertook to
community and Plast work, ensuring a viable organization for future generations of Plastuny in the diaspora. After the breakup of the Soviet Union and the formation of an independent Ukraine, there was a rebirth of Plast in Ukraine and the fraternity "Lisovi Chorty" reestablished in the cities of Lviv, Kyiv, Ivano-Frankivsk, as well as others.
Lisovi Chorty have established sections in Argentina, Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Ukraine, United States. Among the most famous members are UPA General Roman Shukhevych, politician Andriy Pyaseckyy, economist Bohdan Hawrylyshyn, last president of UNR in exile Mykola Plavyuk, writer Vasyl Karkhut, Bishop Hlib Lonchyna, and civil and political figure Stepan Okhrymovych.
Order of the Iron Spur
Order of the Iron Spur is a male troop of the Ukrainian Plast Scouting organization. It is sequentially the 15th kurin' of 'Rover Scouts'.History
It was founded as Order of the Iron Spur Chivalry in November 1916 by group of Ukrainian Sich Riflemen leading by centurion Ivan Tsiapka, although the factual initiator is considered to be Leo Lepky. The Chivalry was dissolved and afterwards revived by scouts in 1927 as a part of Plast organization.The aim of the modern Order, revived in 1996, is to develop Plast organization structure and Plast specializations as well as to promote the healthy lifestyle amongst Plast members.
Insignia of the Order
The composition base is the emblem of Sviatoslav the Conqueror - comes from the spur sign, the symbol of Ukrainian chivalry of princely times. Bidental of Svyatoslav, like a cross or a trident, is the symbol of the main principles of world growth, the combination of the two main life-giving principles.The Will of Sviatoslav the Conqueror
Folk legends preserved the tale about Sviatoslav the Conqueror, who was about to go in the campaign against the Bulgarians. Once during the campaign his faithful horse had suddenly stopped and Sviatoslav refused to go into battle: magi believed if the horse resists to go in the campaign – it is a sign that the soldier would not return alive from the battlefield and predicted a death to the Grand prince. Smith Hysch promised to invent for him a tool that will force a horse to go in the campaign. The Glorious blacksmith forged for Svyatoslav the first pair of iron spurs. The horse went on a campaign and Svyatoslav returned with a victory and glory. Then the prince thanked Hysch and gave him a will to found the Ruthenian Order of Knights in honor of the Iron Spures.Ivan Tsiapka, the future Grand Komtur of the Order, had seen a dream about that and decided to implement the Will of Sviatoslav.
Orden Khrestonistsiv
Orden Khrestonistsiv is a male fraternity of the Ukrainian Plast Scouting organization. It is sequentially the 5th kurin' of 'Older Scouts' and the 20th kurin' of 'Senior Scouts'. Together, these two "kureny" form the Orden Khrestonostsiv chosen for Svyatoslav the Conqueror.History
The Orden was founded in March 1946, in the town of Traunstein in Bavaria, Germany. Its founders were sixteen plastuny, who were displaced from Western Ukraine after World War II. Most of them were aged 18 through 20, and either in or entering universities and seminaries.In 1948, the Orden had spread to include Scouts in the United States, Canada, France and Belgium. Members can also be found in Argentina, Australia, Japan and, since 2002, again in Ukraine.
Structure and organization
The Orden consists of:- The 5th Kurin of "starshi plastuny", and
- The 20th Kurin of "plastuny seniory".
Throughout the year, the activities of the members of both "kureny" are conducted both individually and through local chapters or "stezhi," which combine members of both kureny. There are, or have been, "stezhi" in Chicago, Illinois; Buffalo, New York; New York City, New York; Jersey City, New Jersey; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Ternopil', Ukraine, among others.
Every two years, both kureni of the Orden meet at a "Velyka Rada" to elect new leadership of each "kurin'" and of the Orden itself.. The first Rada was held in Traunstein, Germany. With the growth of the Orden in the United States, most "Rady" have been held in various US and Canadian locations. In the 21st century, with the formation of OX "stezhi" in Ukraine, a "Rada" may open in one city in one continent, be suspended and then resume in another city and continent.
Ranks and titles, traditions
The Orden is a fairly egalitarian organization, with only three basic levels of membership. At formal gatherings, all members are aligned according to rank and, within rank, in the order of their knighthood or entry into the Orden.The Orden is rich in traditions and ceremonies. Many of these are secret rituals including the mysterious "kanapa" and the spiritual "pasuvannia" and the arcane "kleynody" and are not disclosed to non-initiates. The membership scarf is black and has the fraternity's a shield with a cross in the corner. Its patron saint is Metropolitan Andriy Sheptytskyi.
;Anthem and slogan
The "Hymn Khrestonostsiv" is solemnly intoned by all members at every formal gathering. The slogan of the Orden is "Z khrestom i mechem --- za Ukrayinu!" which translates as "With the Cross and the sword, for Ukraine!"
;Symbolism
The shield of the Orden is a Crusader Knight, with a sword and a shield of a cross that is reminiscent of the shield of the Knights Hospitaller.
At most Orden events, the key accoutrements are a "prapor", as well as a "metch" is present, along with four "kleynody" that symbolize the Plast slogan of "SKOB"="Syl'no, Krasno, Oberezhno, Bystro".
;Core principles
The five core principles of the Orden are:
- A Christian Worldview
- Active Patriotism
- Adherence to the Core Plast Values and a chivalrous spirit
- Personal intellectual enrichment
- Active participation in the spiritual revitalization of the world
At weddings of one of their comrades, all members of the kurin' participate in a ritual that includes four elements.