CHURCH UNIONS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE

摘要

Uniates, or Greek Catholics as they generally prefer to be known, are a fascinating church for anthropological students of religion because, although their 'practical religion' derives from the Eastern Orthodox tradition, their theology is that of the Roman Church. This tension, combined with unequal power relations between East and West, has had far-reaching implications for the evolution of the Greek Catholic churches, particularly in Central Europe where several of them have played leading roles in nationalist movements. Like other Catholics, they accept the authority of the Roman Pope. The existence of large Greek Catholic Churches in this region dates back to the era of the Counter-reformation. They were suppressed almost everywhere under socialism, but have experienced a significant revival since the collapse of the Soviet bloc. In 1996 they celebrated the 400th anniversary of the Union of Brest and the 350th anniversary of the Union of Mukachevo, with the Pope himself playing an active part in commemoration ceremonies.