The Organic Regulations - Modernist decisions with major impact upon the Romanian Principalities

Abstract

Since 1848 great changes have occurred in Europe regarding the Church institution, its role and involvement in the social and political life. The Enlightenment ideas bring a new wind, a less religious one. The double-headed medieval government model fades away and finally disappears. The separation of powers in state becomes the directive. In such circumstances, the Romanian Principalities also witness a quite slow but firm process of removing the Church from the political decisional area. There occur new forms of dispute between the secular and the religious powers. The influences upon the ecclesial institutions have been diverse, both positive and negative. The Organic Regulations imposed in the Principalities shall help the Orthodox Church refine and mould certain organizational aspects, and on the other hand they shall open the way to quite acute intrusions of the laity into the Church.