Catholic Dictionary
Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.
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HOLY ALLIANCE
A declaration, originally signed in 1815 by Russia, Austria, and Prussia and eventually by all the rulers of Europe except the Prince Regent of England, the Pope and the Sultan of Turkey. Its basic principle was that henceforth the civil powers would be guided in their relations by "the sublime truths which the Holy Religion of our Savior teaches." Originated by the Czar and sincerely intended to foster friendship among the nations, it was never effective as a diplomatic instrument. In 1899, however, it inspired Czar Nicholas II to call the first international peace conference at The Hague.
