“OPEN CHURCHES AND MOSQUES!”: GERMAN OCCUPATION AND RELIGIOUS CONFESSIONS IN THE NORTH CAUCASUS DURINGTHE GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR (1942-1943)

Abstract

. The article investigates main aspects of the religious policy of the German occupation regime in the North Caucasus during the Great Patriotic War. On the basis of archived data, the authors set out to highlight the state of religious societies and their attitude towards the Nazi regime in 1942–1943. The focus is on the critical analysis of the Orthodox and Islamic confessions in this region. The Armenian Apostolic Church is also considered. The authors conclude that the German occupation regime was characterized by its favourable disposition towards various religious societies, which was met with approval by the majority of the religious population. However, coming into contact with German authorities, the Islamic and Armenian clergy, as well as the Russian Orthodox Church, remained patriotic and supported their people in the struggle against the invaders.