Formen der Identität im Siebenbürgen (XVIII. Jahrhunderts). Einleitung zur Kritik der Darstellung der Nichtunierten Rumänen in der Geschichtsschreibnu
Forms of identity in 18th century Transylvania. Introduction to criticism of historiographic image of the non-Uniate Romanians

Summary/Abstract: The attempt to review the historiographic image of the non-Uniate Romanians (Orthodoxes) from 18th century Transylvania, although a necessary step does not represent an effortless undertaking. A rich historiography was dedicated to their evolution, especially from the perspective of ecclesiastical history; however, too often this was characterized by polemics or was subordinated to some pre-set interpretation. Surpassing this restrictive pattern and forgoing traditionalism, is possible only by a new reading of the primary sources and attempt of extending the historian’s field of investigation. On these lines, we attempt to offer some answers to issues such as the definition of the Orthodox identity, ways of integrating believers in society, rapports established at the level of communities. The approach rests on current modern methodologies of ecclesiastical and confessional history. This represents the starting point of the present study, structured as an introduction to extremely complex problematic questions. It highlights the individuality of Orthodox Transylvanian communities positioned outside and against union with the Church of Rome, more exactly those from Braşov, Făgăraş and Alba Iulia, in the first half of the 18th century. The author focuses on actions by which believers from here attempted to differentiate, turning to double effort of jurisdictional and doctrinal defining. Under these circumstances, sources available illustrate an identity assumed by the clerical and secular elite that became defining for the entire community. Thus, diversification and thorough investigation is suggested, to seize upon the impact of such an undertaking that may be defined as confessional. One cannot overlook that these are urban communities, where social status and economic activity had significant relevance for understanding the position toward the Union of these communities’ members.

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