Проблема Литовско-белорусской православной автокефалии в начале Второй мировой войны (1939-1940)

ENThe problem of Lithuanian-Belorussian Orthodox Autocephaly in so-called “Vilnius Region’’ during 1939-1940 is the subject of this article. We highlighted the principal stages of this process and the main dramatis personae, who took part in the struggle for autocephaly of Lithuanian Orthodox parishes and against it. The camp of supporters of Lithuanian-Belorussian autocephaly consisted of former Pro-Polish Orthodox priests, such us Archbishop Theodosius (Theodosiev), Archimandrite Philip (Morozov) and others; Belorussian intellectuals from Vilna and Belorussian nationalists. At the same time the camp of supporters of Pro-Moscow position consisted of Metropolitan Elevfery (Bogoyavlenskiy), who was at he head of the Lithuanian Orthodox Eparchy, Russian emigrant clerics, anti-polish Orthodox priests and some part of Pro-Soviet Lithuanian Orthodox believers. This struggle continued about a year and ended in victory of Pro-Moscow camp and dismissal for the supporters of Belarusian-Lithuanian autocephaly. Besides the article paid special attention that national aspect of activity of this religious organizations and a history of internal conflicts in this Eparchy during World War II so far has not gained a special consideration.