The Orthodox Church in the territory of Latvia from XVIII to XX cnt.
From the 18th century with the annexation of Latvia to the Russian Empire, the official Orthodox Church spread throughout the Latvian lands. In 1838 the Vicariate of Riga in the Diocese of Pskov was established. In 1847 the Orthodox School of Theology was established in Riga, and in 1851 the Ecclesiastical Seminary started its work. >>
The Latvian Orthodox Churrch in the interwar years
After the formation of the independent Baltic States the eparchy of Riga was divided into two parts – Estonian and Latvian. On 27 February 1920 the All-Latvian Assembly of the Orthodox Church elected John Pommer as the Archbishop of Riga and all Latvia.
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Orthodoxy Church in Soviet Latvia
After Latvia became part of the USSR the Latvian Orthodox Church was returned to the jurisdiction of the Patriarchy of Moscow. Church life entered an uneasy period of fighting for survival in an atheist state. Churches were closed and destroyed. Many clergymen suffered repressions. Part of the congregation abandoned the church, fearing persecution. But even in these difficult circumstances the Orthodox Church continued to bring the light of faith to the people. >>
