Shvetz L. Peculiarities of realization of the state power by the local authorities in the USSR towards the communities of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine (1940s - 1960s)

The present thesis deals with the activity of the local authorities which tended to realize religious policy in Ukrainian Republic in the middle of 1940s-1960s. The problems of formation and functioning of representatives in the Russian Orthodox Church Council in Ukraine are under consideration. The place of the institute of representatives and its meaning in realization of state policy towards the Russian Orthodox Church in the republic is analysed. The main peculiarities in the activity of lower soviet government authority towards communities of the Russian Orthodox Church are studied. Some regional differences in relations between church and state are analysed. It is shown that the policy of local authorities, often based on infringement of the soviet law, did not usually correspond to the policy of central authorities. The main forms and methods of curtailment of people's religiousness by soviet parties and authorities are characterized.