OLD BELIEVER COMMUNITIES OF THE VITEBSK REGION IN 1945 – FIRST HALF OF 1950S

Abstract

The article is devoted to the history of Old Believer communities of Vitebsk region in 1945 – first half of 1950th. On the base of archive materials their state in the first post-war decade is examined. This period is characterized by heterogeneity of the state-confessional policy in the Soviet state. If right after the war the restoration of religious life is observed, then already in the late 1940-s the period of its winding down is observed. The article analyzes the recovery process of religious life in the Old Believer communities, examines the process of their official registration during this period and reveals changes in public policy in relation to the Old Believer communities of the region in the late 1940s. Special attention is paid to the policy of Soviet power in the closing of the Old Believer churches and the termination of community activities in the late 1940s – early 1950s.