The Process of Massive Russification of the Romanian Population Between the Prut and Dniester. An Overview Through the Activity Reports Drawn Up by the Army Priests, Participants in the Campaign in Bessarabia (1918–1919) Cover Image

Procesul de rusificare masivă a populației românești dintre Prut și Nistru. O privire de ansamblu prin prisma rapoartelor de activitate întocmite de către preoții de armată, participanți la Campania desfășurată în Basarabia (1918–1919)
The Process of Massive Russification of the Romanian Population Between the Prut and Dniester. An Overview Through the Activity Reports Drawn Up by the Army Priests, Participants in the Campaign in Bessarabia (1918–1919)

Author(s): Constantin Neagu
Subject(s): History
Published by: ArtPoligraf SRL
Keywords: process;russification;military campaign;Bessarabia;military priests;reports.

Summary/Abstract: The Bolshevik Revolution in Russia (1917), the dissolution of the Tsarist Army and the collapse ofthe Eastern Front also had an impact on the security in Bessarabia. For this reason, the political authorities in Chisinau requested the Romanian Government to authorize the intervention of the Royal Army in the east of the Prut.During the military operations, the Romanian Army was accompanied by a number of approximately 40mobilized priests. By fulfilling religious requirements, raising morale, maintaining discipline and promotingbrotherly behavior towards the locals, they offered real spiritual guidance to the troops.In the interaction with the native civilian population, the military clergy officiated Orthodox acts of worship, they delivered patriotic and moralizing speeches and explained the national history, carrying out a trueapostolic mission. They found on spot that the belonging of the Bessarabians to the Romanian nation had beenundermined for more than a century by the policy of denationalization, intensively patronized by the power ofthe Russian double-headed eagle, often with the help of the Church.

  • Issue Year: V/2023
  • Issue No: supplement
  • Page Range: 104-110
  • Page Count: 7
  • Language: Romanian