Baltic Orthodoxy

Overview & Synopsis

This edited volume that examines Orthodox Christianity in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, with additional perspectives from Finland and Belarus. The book adopts a microhistorical approach, focusing on everyday religious life and grassroots practices rather than primarily on church politics or theology. The contributions address a range of topics, including the roles of women, clergy, and Old Believers, as well as the formation and continuity of religious customs. Attention is given to lived experience and cultural change, highlighting how Orthodox communities have developed in different historical and social contexts. The volume also considers material and artistic aspects of Orthodoxy, such as church architecture, iconography, music, and clothing, offering insight into the visual and sensory dimensions of religious practice. Based on a series of case studies, it presents a multifaceted view of Orthodox life in the Baltic region, particularly in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. An introductory chapter provides a broader framework for the individual studies. The book is intended for readers interested in the history of religion, cultural identity, and the Baltic region.