Ukrainian in Portugal


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Ukrainians first emerged as a people in the 800s during the medieval state of Kyivan Rus. That was a time when local Slavic tribes were merging with Viking settlers. It became one of the most powerful states during that time in European history. Through the centuries, they became vassals of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Ruthenia and Samogitia.

A rebellion by the powerful Cossacks in the 1600s was a turning point for the Ukrainians. They created the Cossack Hetmanate, which was located in central and eastern Ukraine. The Cossack Hetmanate was allied with Russia’s Tsar. It was abolished in the 1700s by Russian Empress Catherine the Great. The Russian Empire was able to incorporate huge parts of Ukrainian territories.

Ukrainians hoped for full independence in the early 20th century, but that hope was squashed by the emerging Soviet Union led by Bolshevik forces. The Russian-dominated Soviet Union included Ukraine, along with many other neighboring states. Some were Slavic, and others were Turkic Muslims. Ethnic Ukrainians are represented in all these now-independent countries.

All Soviet states were forced to endure Russification. Russian Soviet leaders engineered a famine that cost 4-5 million Ukrainian lives. Many Ukrainians fled to other countries during this time. Many of these were within Soviet control. During WWII, Ukrainians suffered under the oppression of both German Nazis and Soviet Communists.

When the USSR dissolved in 1991, Ukraine and other Soviet states were given independence. Russia again tried to establish dominance of Ukraine in 2022 when they invaded that nation. Thousands fled to Western European countries like Portugal, where they hoped to re-establish their lives.

Ukrainians rank as the second largest ethnic minority in Portugal, having begun their migration to the country in the late 1990s.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Typically, Ukrainians in Portugal are men who came to seek employment. They are often better educated than the Portuguese majority and tend to be young. They work in low-paying jobs in manufacturing, cleaning services, construction, restaurants and hotels. In recent years, they have begun moving out of these low-paying positions and securing jobs that require more education. After the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, they have been joined by war refugees.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Wherever Ukrainians live, they are Christian, usually Orthodox or Evangelical. Ukraine is known as the Bible Belt of Eastern Europe. They are well-suited to be salt and light to the people around them.


What Are Their Needs?

Diaspora Ukrainians often have family members and friends in Ukraine who have endured war with Russia. There is always uncertainty about the well-being of their loved ones. Others, recent members of the Ukrainian Diaspora, are themselves enduring the traumas of war. Many have lost their homes and their livelihood in that once-peaceful land. Russians have tried to destroy Ukrainian culture for decades. Ukrainians are trying to preserve their culture wherever they live.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to be the source of comfort for Ukrainians.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to drive Ukrainians to be salt and light to the people around them.
Pray for Ukrainian Christians to disciple others in the ways of Christ.


Scripture Prayers for the Ukrainian in Portugal.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainians
https://www.npr.org/2024/12/25/g-s1-38399/ukraine-culture-traditions-russian-invasion
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Ukraine
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainian_diaspora
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukrainians_in_Portugal


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Ukrainian
People Name in Country Ukrainian
Pronunciation yoo-KRANE-ee-un
Alternate Names
Population this Country 29,000
Population all Countries 32,574,000
Total Countries 51
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 4
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 15696
ROP3 Code 110376
Country Portugal
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Portugal
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked

No people group map currently available. Use the above button to submit a map.




Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 3.80 %)
82.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
18.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Ukrainian (29,000 speakers)
Language Code ukr   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Ukrainian (29,000 speakers)
Language Code ukr   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Ukrainian

Primary Language:  Ukrainian

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1869-2016)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1880-1997)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1903-2020)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Ukrainian Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Productions
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Ukrainian YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Новий Переклад Українською Biblica
Mobile App Android Bible app: УСП Біблія Bible League
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Ukrainian YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Ukrainian Ohienko Bible Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: УСП Біблія Bible League
Text / Printed Matter Bible Gateway scripture Bible Gateway
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Ukrainian Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Text / Printed Matter tools for gospel conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source C. M. Sturgeon - Pixabay 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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