The article tells about Eugeniu Kozak (1857–1933), a prominent Slavist, researcher, Rector of Chernivtsi University, religious and socio-political figure, senator, archpresbyter-stavrophorus, professor, doctor of philosophy. Kozak was born to a large family of an Orthodox priest. He studied at the Theological Faculty in Chernivtsi and the Philosophical Faculty at Vienna University. After completing his PhD in Slavic studies in Vienna, he combined philological research with church service. As a student of the famous Slavist Vatroslav Jagić, Professor Kozak was Chair of the Church Slavonic Language and Literature at the Theological Faculty of Chernivtsi University, Dean of the mentioned faculty and later Rector of this university. He made a significant contribution to the development of Slavic studies by publishing works about Slavic epigraphic monuments. His most well-known research focused on ancient inscriptions from churches and monasteries in Bukovina. Teaching theology to the students, Professor Kozak supported their desire to become siritual leaders and popularize ancient cultural traditions. In the context of progressing Germanization and Romanization, supported by the local authorities, many viewed Kozak’s lectures as the basis for further selfidentification. Having joined the Old Rusin movement when young, Kozak actively participated in the social and political life of the region, taking part in elections to representative bodies of church and secular institutions. In the interwar period, Kozak was a senator of the highest legislative body of Romania and a deputy of the Church Congress of the Bukovina Metropolis, where, despite his Russophile political views, he defended the church and political rights of the Bukovinian Rusins, for which he was relieved of university teaching and later retired. In general, contemporaries and researchers differ in their estimation of Kozak’s research, church, and social activities in Bukovyna during the Austrian and Romanian time. His life and scholarly endeavor reflect the complex history of struggle and disputes for dominance in the region between the local Romanian and Ukrainian communities, as well as between the Narodovtsy and Old Rusins among the Ukrainians themselves.