The relationship between the State and the Romanian Orthodox Church during the communist period Cover Image

The relationship between the State and the Romanian Orthodox Church during the communist period
The relationship between the State and the Romanian Orthodox Church during the communist period

Author(s): Veronica Gheorghiță
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Political history, Politics and religion, History of Communism
Published by: Editura Universitaria Craiova
Keywords: religion; Romanian Orthodox Church; State; communist period;

Summary/Abstract: In Romania, the communist powers will impose the atheistic principle as the state religion, turning his attention to the final eradication of religious beliefs. During this period, the Romanian Orthodox Church came to a dead end because the Church was dealing with a social and political hostile partner. Between the two types of reporting to the political context (open struggle against communist power for fully meeting its mission or accepting an intervention of the state in the administrative life of the Church by giving up certain specific missions), the Romanian Orthodox Church decided not to openly oppose the regime, but rather to create a spiritual strength. There was the conviction that an official attitude towards the decisions of the communist state would jeopardize their existence and the possibility to continue, in any form, its mission as spiritual training and guidance of the people.

  • Issue Year: 2014
  • Issue No: 43
  • Page Range: 43-54
  • Page Count: 12
  • Language: English