Church and culture in a time of suffering cultural and religious associations in world War II

In this study, I explore the history of cultural and religious associations in a time of significant national and social suffering: WWII in Transylvania (Romania). Despite real difficulties, resources were identified for developing cultural and religious programmes. In virtue of some unpublished archive documents, I have documented the evolution of two religious-cultural associations (Frǎţia Ortodoxǎ Românǎ and Astra) in the Vicarage of Alba Iulia (in the centre of Transylvania). These programmes pulled together cultural, national, and religious resources to develop social conscience and solidarity. The collaboration of priests, who took part enthusiastically in the accomplishments of these programmes, is worthy of praise. They were led by vicar archpriest Alexandru Baba from Alba Iulia, who turned the town into a real pilot-centre?, through these projects.