The countries in Central and Eastern Europe have faced a century of hardship. They have been oppressed by radical communism, horrendous crimes against humanity, and revolutionary, civil, and world wars.
Under communism, religion and religious practices were openly persecuted, and atheism was actively propagated and enforced.
Control of every aspect of life was taken over by totalitarian governments and the communist party, and civil society and the economy were deconstructed.
Since the collapse of the former Soviet Union in 1991, Central and Eastern European countries have been working to rebuild their political structures, social welfare, economies, and their religious life.