The situation of the Orthodox Church from the Moldavian SSR in 1940-1941 Cover Image
  • Price 5.00 €

Situaţia Bisericii Ortodoxe în R.S.S. Moldovenească, 1940-1941
The situation of the Orthodox Church from the Moldavian SSR in 1940-1941

Author(s): Nicolae Fuştei
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, History, Political history, Recent History (1900 till today), Special Historiographies:, Theology and Religion, History of Communism
Published by: Institutul National pentru Studiul Totalitarismului
Keywords: the Orthodox Church; antireligious terror; Soviet occupation; Moldavian SSR;

Summary/Abstract: In the present study, based on the archival documents, it is reflected the status of the Orthodox Church in Moldavian SSR during 1940-1941. After the occupation of Bessarabia by the USSR in June 1940, a fiercely anti-religious struggle was organised using different ways: ideological, administrative, economic, insulting the religious feeling of believers, and the systematic terror. To achieve struggle with religion, the crucial decisions were taken by the top party organs including the decision of the Bureau of Central Committee of the Communist Party of MSSR from March 7, 1941. As a result of the anti-religious policy, the number of the ministering priests decreased from 1042 to 376, the number of the churches decreased from 943 to 340 only over a year.The present study, based on the archival documents, reflects the status of the Orthodox Church in Moldavian SSR during 1940-1941. After the occupation of Bessarabia by the USSR in June 1940, a fiercely anti-religious struggle began at all levels: ideological, administrative, economic, insulting the religious feeling of believers, and the systematic terror. In its fight against religion, the crucial decisions were taken by the top party organs, including the decision of the Bureau of Central Committee of the Communist Party of MSSR from March 7, 1941. As a result of the anti-religious policy, in only one year the number of the ministering priests decreased from 1042 to 376, whilst the number of the churches decreased from 943 to 340.

  • Issue Year: XXV/2017
  • Issue No: 1-2
  • Page Range: 67-73
  • Page Count: 7
  • Language: Romanian