ORGANIZAREA ADMINISTRATIVĂ A EPARHIEI CHIŞINĂULUI ŞI HOTINULUI (sfârşitul sec. al XIX-lea – începutul sec. al XX-lea)

Silvia SCUTARU Liceul teoretic „Nicolae Iorga”, Chişinău

Rezumat

The eparchy administration in Bessarabia had a centralized church hierarchy, according to the structure of imperial church hierarchy. Thus, the church administration activity in Bessarabia was being directed by the Holy Synod by means of laws, directives and dispositions At eparchy's top was a bishop responsible for its administration. He was assisted by a vicar, a consistory, deans, trustees and clergy. The eparchy bishop together with the Clerical Consistory were also in charge of church court in the eparchy. Vicar's attributions could be extended or limited by the bishop. Deans performed their activities within circumscriptions, being in charge of solving local problems. An important role in the administration of eparchy churches has been played by eparchy congresses which solved by means of decisions administrative problems linked to church's activity in Bessarabia. Generally speaking, church administration in Bessarabia has promoted Russian Orthodoxy among its followers by supporting the actions of czarist and church authorities. As a result of this actions and other factors, a part of followers departed from the church, this creating a need for essential change in the activity of the church within the eparchy during the period of 1917 - 1918.