FUNCTIONING OF ADVENTIST COMMUNITIES IN TRANSCARPATHIA IN CONDITIONS OF CRISIS PHENOMENA: ANTI-RELIGIOUS STATE POLICY AND THE INTERNAL DIVISION DURING THE “STAGNATION”, 1965–1985

Abstract

The article attempts to analyze the functioning of the Seventh-day Adventist religious community in Transcarpathia in the conditions of crisis phenomena anti-religious policy of state bodies and internal crisis during the “stagnation” of 1965–1985. For this purpose, a wide archival and scientific base was involved, which helped to carry out a deep comprehensive analysis of this topic. It was found that with the liquidation of the spiritual center and a powerful anti-religious campaign, the religious community was on the verge of ceasing to exist in the Soviet Union. In such extremely difficult conditions, religious leaders managed to adapt to negative circumstances, maintain the administrative vertical and gradually develop the religious community. An organizational samizdat was formed on the territory of Transcarpathia. Carrying out planned religious activities, the Adventist community of Transcarpathia slowly developed, expanding the existing network.