The Catastrophic Effects of Decree 410/1959 on Monasticism in Communist Romania
The Catastrophic Effects of Decree 410/1959 on Monasticism in Communist Romania

Summary/Abstract: During the communist period, the Romanian Orthodox Church especially monasticism suffered greatly. This was mainly due to issuance of Decree 410/1959 whichdecimated the number of monks and nuns throughout the country. Such evil decreehad catastrophic effects among monks, the front line of the battlefi eld with the forcesof darkness – communists, atheists. Thousands of monks and nuns of various ageswere abusively removed from monasteries and forced to return to civilian life andto integrate into the life they left. This decree resulted in violation of civil rights,religious, spiritual and any rules of common sense, constituting an abuse, violenceand a violation of personal freedom.

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