BIOGRAFII EXEMPLARE DIN PERIOADA REZISTENŢEI BISERICII GRECO-CATOLICE ÎN NORD VESTUL TRANSILVANIEI
EXEMPLARY BIOGRAPHIES DATING FROM THE PERIOD OF THE GREEK-CATHOLIC RESISTANCE IN NORTH-WESTERN TRANSYLVANIA

Summary/Abstract: The present study sets out to highlight some exemplary biographies, which have endured the same adversities as the Romanian United Church, facing the hardships of time, but still managing to re-encounter themselves after 1989 and continue their existence legally. Although the portrayed biographies are quite distinctive and pertain to various fields, they all have something in common: the struggle in defence of the identity of the Romanian Greek-Catholic Uniate Church and its „underground” struggle for survival. The research focuses on professor Grigore Balea and on engineer Simion Mesaroş, two people who have accepted the risks and have been ordained as priests surreptitiously, with the aid of Bishop Ioan Dragomir. Attention was drawn also to the women of „resistance” who come from the lines of nuns as well as from those of the common folk, but who have distinguished themselves by an unyielding attitude, just deeds, strong faith and the struggle for the survival of the Romanian Greek-Catholic United Church. Two examples have been highlighted: Valerica Nicoară and Marioara Ionescu. A similar attachment to the Greek-Catholic faith in spite of the fifty years of prohibition can be also noted in the case of part of the common folk, who has followed its prelates and priests and have suffered in the name of their faith. From Among them we have chosen to portray Ioan Barbul, a courageous, trustful and dignified man, who has attempted by his struggle to uphold the Greek-Catholic traditions within the Orthodox Church. The basis of our research have been the verbal testimonies, but reference was also made to specific literature and the press of the period, both of them have offered data concerning the topic, as well as the required reference points needed to place it in time and space. We consider the persons depicted in this study to be „row models of christian life” due to the strong and unalterable faith, modesty, humbleness and the spiritual strength they have displayed during their entire lives. By presenting the five biographies dating from the period of their clandestine existence, we have attempted to partially recreate the atmosphere of the period, in hope of rounding off the image of the „underground” activity the Greek Catholics were compelled to perform for more than fifty years.

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