While in Western Europe, churches are empty and transformed into supermarkets or banks, the Eastern Orthodox Church in Romania is enjoying a unique popularity.
The Church ranks first in the opinion polls as the “most trusted institution” with 86%, followed only by the Army, press and NATO. Parliament, judiciary and other democratic institutions trailed far behind.
Around 200 churches have been built every year since the fall of Communism. Sunday churchgoers are no rarity, not even among youngsters. About 89% of the 21.7 million Romanians are Orthodox, making it the largest Orthodox population within the European Union.
Romanians will tell you that their Church kept them spiritually alive and inspired during the hardships of the repressive, 45-year Communist regime.
But the truth is that it also kept the regime well informed about its people. Collaboration between priests and the Secret Police (Securitate) was not accidental, but thoroughly planned and implemented.
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Sep 8th, 2007
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