Romani Online in UK

Hosted by Dr Mike Phillips OBE, British novelist, historian and curator

Monday 1 March 2010

19.00-21.00, The Ratiu Foundation / Romanian Cultural Centre, Manchester Square, 18 Fitzhardinge Street, London W1H 6EQ; Tel. 020 7486 0295, ext 108; e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; Entry is free but booking is essential.

Despite widespread persecution, Orthodox churches not only survived the Cold War period but levels of religiosity in Orthodox countries remained significant. Lucian Leustean’s edited book brings together seventeen scholars examining the often surprising relations between Orthodox churches and political regimes.

The book provides a comprehensive overview of the dynamics between Eastern Christianity and politics from the end of the Second World War to the fall of communism, covering 40 Orthodox churches including diasporic churches in Africa, Asia, America and Australia. Based on research from recently-opened archives and publications in a wide range of European languages, it analyses church-state relations on both sides of the Iron Curtain. It discusses the following key themes: the relationship between Orthodox churches and political power; religious resistance to communism; the political control of churches; religion and propaganda; monasticism and theological publications; religious diplomacy within the Orthodox commonwealth; and religious contacts between East and West.

Lucian Leustean will discuss the position of Eastern Christian churches on both sides of the Iron Curtain, focusing on the Romanian Orthodox Church as a case study.

BOOK PRESENTATION:

Eastern Christianity and the Cold War, 1945-91

Edited by Lucian Leustean

Hardback, 384 pages, Routledge
(21 December 2009) ISBN: 978-0-415-47197-8

The book will be available to buy on the evening at the special price of £68 (normal price £85)

Lucian Leustean is Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at Aston University, Birmingham. He studied international relations, law and theology and was awarded a doctorate by the Department of Government at the London School of Economics. His recent publications include Orthodoxy and the Cold War. Religion and Political Power in Romania, 1947-65 (Palgrave, 2009) and co-editor with John Madeley of Religion, Politics and Law in the European Union (Routledge, 2010).

Organised by The Ratiu Foundation / Romanian Cultural Centre in London.

Culture Power is a programme initiated by the Ratiu Foundation, consisting of a number of presentations and constructive dialogue with an invited audience.

With the support of ProFusion International Creative Consultancy.