The system of organization of the diocesan administration of the Belarusian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in 1949– 1980 Cover Image

Система организации епархиального управления Белорусской автокефальной православной церкви в 1949–1980 гг.
The system of organization of the diocesan administration of the Belarusian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in 1949– 1980

Author(s): Aleksandr Slesarev
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, History of Church(es), Theology and Religion, Eastern Orthodoxy
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu w Białymstoku
Keywords: Belarusian Autocephalous Orthodox Church; Belarusian Diaspora; diocesan administration; Orthodoxy; Białoruski Autokefaliczny Kościół Prawosławny; diaspora białoruska; administracja diecezjalna;prawosławie

Summary/Abstract: The article is devoted to the consideration of the history of the development of the system of diocesan administrations of the unrecognized Belarusian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (BAOC). Formed in 1948–1949, the named religious organization over the next several decades was an influential center for the consolidation of the Belarusian post-war Diaspora. The activities of the parishes of the BAOC were not limited to the organization of services and involved the conduct of social, cultural, educational, publishing and other work. In turn, the control, management and coordination of parish activities largely depended on the principles of organizing diocesan administration. On the basis of the study, it is concluded that the volume of administrative powers of the episcopate is gradually reduced and the role of the laity in the administration of dioceses is strengthened. The noted instability of the diocesan structures of the BAOC in the period under review is explained by the high degree of dependence of the diocesan affiliation of parishes on the relationship with a particular hierarch.

  • Issue Year: 2021
  • Issue No: 23
  • Page Range: 119-126
  • Page Count: 8
  • Language: Russian