The Romanian Orthodox Church during Communism. Decree no. 410/1959 – a Case Study
The Romanian Orthodox Church during Communism. Decree no. 410/1959 – a Case Study

Summary/Abstract: The aim of the article is to analyse Decree no. 410/1959, in the context of the oppression of the Romanian Orthodox Church during the communist regime and its intent to stifle religious bodies and manifestations. We approach the issue from multiple perspectives: historical (exposing some of the steps taken by the regime seeking to impose its premises), juridical (outlining the main laws and rules issued up to the decree in question so as to provide a juridical context) and theological, revealing the effects of Decree no. 410/1959 on monastic life. The author also revealed a series of actions that the Church and Patriarch Justinian Marina undertook in order to allow the Romanian monastic life to survive. A particular point that the author sets out to make regards the principle of non-retroactivity in the context of the issuing of Decree No. 410 of 28 October 1959

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