The Formation of the Orthodox Parish in Spain in the 1920s – 1950s

The thesis is devoted to the formation of the Orthodox parish in the 1920 - 1950. The purpose of the work is to reveal the features of the creation and functioning of an Orthodox parish in Spain. To answer the main research question, the tasks were: to determine the characteristics of Russian political emigration to Spain during the Civil War and its impact on the propagation of Orthodoxy, to identify the prerequisites for the creation of the Orthodox Church in Spain in the 1940s - 1950s and analyze the jurisdictional, liturgical and economic problems of the parish in the 1940s - 1950s. The thesis based of the study of systematic approach and on the principle of historicism. In addition, the thesis used the method of qualitative content analysis. During the first wave of emigration, emigrants from the USSR flocked to Spain for political and religious reasons. Many of them participated in the Civil War on the side of Francisco Franco, and after the Civil War, Russian volunteers joined the Blue Division and fought in World War II. From the 1920s to the 1940s An Orthodox diaspora has formed in Spain. In post-war Spain, non-Catholics found themselves in a difficult situation. They were not directly oppressed, but missionary activity did not develop, and legalize a parish was a very difficult task, despite the fact that at that time there were various nationalities and Orthodox Christians in Spain. The ROCOR was active in creating an Orthodox parish in Spain. However, the Church of St. Andrew the First was forced to come under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. In general, relations between the ROCOR and the Patriarchate of Constantinople during the period of the thesis were quite difficult. In addition, the priest faced a number of liturgical and economic problems. Prince Irakli Bagration-Mukhrani (the initiator of creation the parish) constantly interfered with worship services. The Church of St. Andrew the First was confronted with the activities of priest Georgiy Tsebrikov, who was banned from serving, but he was supported by some of the parishioners. The priest was faced with difficult economic problems, and it was impossible to solve them on his own. The stability of his position was achieved only in the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. Despite the difficulties in creating, legalizing and functioning of the parish in Madrid, it is quite obvious that the Orthodox parish was needed not only by the Russians, but also by the entire small Orthodox diaspora in Spain, which formed from the 1920s to the 1950s. The ROCOR made several attempts to create an Orthodox church. Now in every big city in Spain there is a parish where Spaniards who profess Orthodoxy also go.