Abstract
This article examines the liturgical life of the “Underground” Greek Catholic Church through the example of the life of the prominent priest, writer and poet, Roman Bakhtalovskyy, CSsR. After 1946, the Soviet government in Ukraine prohibited the activity of this Church. Therefore, the sacramental activity of Greek Catholic priests was performed in complete secrecy until 1989. The analysis of archival criminal cases is an important source of research during this difficult period for the Church, in which pastoral activity was a pretext for arrest and imprisonment, and sacred objects were seized during searches. This article analyzes in detail the criminal case of Fr. Roman Bakhtalovskyy, which was opened by special services in 1968–1969. The confiscated objects of analysis provide valuable information about the liturgical activity, devotional practices and spirituality of that period of persecution of Catholics in Soviet Ukraine which coincided with the reforms of the Second Vatican Council and their implementation elsewhere.
Highlights
Bakhtalovskyy, CSsR (1897–1985).The Greek Catholic Church (GCC) (Greek Catholic Church (GCC) is the EasternCatholic Church, which follows the Byzantine (Greek) Rite
Christians of the Byzantine tradition who did not accept the Union with Rome in 1596 were called Orthodox.) was formed due to a decision by a certain group of Orthodox Christians of the Byzantine tradition. The reason for this formation was to make unity with the entire Catholic Church, headed by the Bishop of Rome (Pope), with a view to restore the unity of the Churches, which was lost after East–West Schism in 1054
During the period of the existence of the Soviet Union, the activities of the GCC were completely prohibited by the state
Summary
During the period of the existence of the Soviet Union, the activities of the GCC were completely prohibited by the state. In his religious life, he experienced almost the entire 45-year period of prohibition of the legal activities of the GCC and survived, remaining faithful to his Christian values. He experienced almost the entire 45-year period of prohibition of the legal activities of the GCC and survived, remaining faithful to his Christian values He died at the beginning of “perestroika”. His criminal case was declassified, enabling us to obtain more detailed information about his life in extremely difficult conditions This information offers a window on the stressful circumstances in which the Greek Catholics in the Soviet Union existed, operated and developed
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