Activity of the Romanian Orthodox Mission in Transnistria (1941-1944)

In the present article the basic aspects of activity of Romanian Orthodox Mission in Transnistria during the Second World War (1941-1944) are analyzed. The author concludes that the main objective of Romanian politics was the re-Christianization of the occupied territory of the USSR. The situation of the Orthodox Church in Transnistria was catastrophic in 1941. Only one church operated on the whole territory between the Dniester and Bug, in Odessa, with one priest. Other churches were completely destroyed (235 churches) or turned into clubs, shops, libraries, etc. Romanian authorities instructed to restore church life in this region to a special Orthodox mission, which from 1941 to 1944 achieved certain results: most of the churches closed by the Bolsheviks were restored and returned to believers; the necessary clergymen were appointed to the parishes; several monasteries were reopened; two theological seminaries were opened; religious books and textbooks were printed, over 20 church newspapers and magazines were published. All these actions had a favorable effect on the restoration of religious life in Transnistria.