English title: “Sons of Old Moldova”. The clergy in Bessarabia in the second half of the 19th and early 20th century
https://doi.org/10.47743/RRISXX.2024-2-2
Issue: 2/2024
Pages: 25-42
Language: Romanian
Author: Vasile Manică
Abstract: At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, the clergy in Bessarabia played a pivotal role in the national movement, emerging as a crucial social force in preserving Romanian identity amidst the aggressive Russification policies imposed by the Tsarist administration. In an era when the imperial regime heavily dominated schools and other cultural institutions, the Church and its clergy were some of the few institutions capable of safeguarding and promoting national values. Priests utilized sermons, liturgical services, and community engagement to sustain the Romanian language among the faithful, resisting the systemic pressures to replace it with Russian ecclesiastical practices. Simultaneously, they actively supported cultural initiatives, notably establishing and sustaining confessional schools, which became key centres of education fostering national values and consciousness.
Furthermore, many priests engaged directly in cultural and political activities aimed at national emancipation, facilitating the resurgence of Romanian identity in Bessarabia. Through their moral authority and educational efforts, they reinforced social cohesion and upheld the aspirations of the Romanian population for unity and independence. As a result, the clergy became a cornerstone of cultural and spiritual resistance, playing a critical role in preserving the Romanian heritage and countering assimilationist efforts.
Keywords: Priests, Imperial policies, Identity, Culture, Faith