THE PRAYER BUILDINGS OF THE OLD BELIEVERS-NON-PRIESTSIN THE TERRITORY OF THE BSSR IN MID-1940S — MID-1960S

Abstract

The article is devoted to the cult objects of the Old Believers-non-priest communities in the BSSR in mid-1940s — mid-1960s. The architectural peculiarities of the prayer buildings of these communities are considered. The normative legal documents of the Soviet confessional legislation in relation to the functioning of the prayer buildings of the Old Believers of the non-priest movement in
mid-1940s — mid-1960s are characterized. On the example of individual associations of Old Believers, the procedure for transferring
of the religious buildings to members of registered non-priest organizations for free and perpetual use is described. The conditions for
the use of rented private premises as prayer rooms by communities of non-priests are considered. The policy of local authorities in
relation to the religious buildings of the Old Believers of the period under review is characterized. The functioning of illegal prayer
rooms of unregistered associations of believers of this denomination is considered. The tendency of seizure and use of the prayer
buildings of the Old Believers-non-priests for non-religious purposes is described.

Ref.: 24 titles.