Eastern Christianity and the Cold War, 1945-91 (Routledge Studies in the History of Russia and Eastern Europe) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0415673364 ISBN 13: 9780415673365

Publisher: Routledge, 2011

Synopsis

Despite widespread persecution, Orthodox churches not only survived the Cold War period but levels of religiosity in Orthodox countries remained significant. This book examines the often surprising relations between Orthodox churches and political regimes. It provides a comprehensive overview of the dynamics between Eastern Christianity and politics from the end of the Second World War to the fall of communism, covering 40 Orthodox churches including diasporic churches in Africa, Asia, America and Australia. Based on research from recently-opened archives and publications in a wide range of European languages, it analyses church-state relations on both sides of the Iron Curtain. It discusses the following key themes: the relationship between Orthodox churches and political power; religious resistance to communism; the political control of churches; religion and propaganda; monasticism and theological publications; religious diplomacy within the Orthodox commonwealth; and religious contacts between East and West.

About this title

About the Author

Lucian N. Leustean is Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at Aston University, Birmingham, UK. He is the author of Orthodoxy and the Cold War: Religion and Political Power in Romania, 1947-65 (2009) and co-editor with John Madeley of Religion, Politics and Law in the European Union (Routledge, 2009).

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0415673364
• ISBN 13: 9780415673365
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 384
• Editor: Leustean Lucian