The publication offers the analysis of socio‑political attitudes among the highest Church hierarchy at a turning point of Russian history in 1917. The main directions of the Church’s activities in overcoming the crisis of state‑church relations and the state‑public system are indicated. The article discusses the peacekeeping initiatives of the Church on the eve of the Civil War in Russia. It then explores the main causes and circumstances that determined the Church’s positions and further activities under the Soviet power. The political role of the epistles of Patriarch Tikhon (Bellavin) is particularly emphasized.