Liturgical and Pastoral Activity as a Crime in Soviet Ukraine: The Case of Greek Catholic Priest, Roman Bakhtalovskyy, CSsR (1897–1985)

This article examines the liturgical life of “Underground” Greek Catholic Church through example prominent priest, writer and poet, Roman Bakhtalovskyy, CSsR. After 1946, Soviet government in Ukraine prohibited activity this Church. Therefore, sacramental priests was performed complete secrecy until 1989. The analysis archival criminal cases is an important source research during difficult period for Church, which pastoral a pretext arrest imprisonment, sacred objects were seized searches. analyzes detail case Fr. opened by special services 1968–1969. confiscated provide valuable information about activity, devotional practices spirituality that persecution Catholics coincided with reforms Second Vatican Council their implementation elsewhere.