the Russian Orthodox Church

“The New Course” in Stalin’s Religious Policy and the Church Context within the Occupied Region of Leningrad (1943–1944)

Based on church documents and eyewitnesses’ memories, the author attempts to present how the Stalin’s “New Course” religious policy influenced church life under German occupation within Leningrad region from 1943 to 1944. The reinstatement of the Moscow patriarchate and the growing legality of the Russian Orthodox Church allowed the Soviet government to employ the religious factor in its solution to burning political issues. This was especially true within national outlying districts that were not included in the USSR till 1940.

The Russian Factor in the Failure of the Pan-Orthodox Council in the 1920–1930s

The article explores the failed attempt of the all-Orthodox (Ecumenical) Council in the 1920–1930s through the prism of relations between the Constantinople Patriarchate, the Russian Church, and the Soviet government. In the situation of a strong Church discord in Russia, provoked by anti-religious policy of the Bolsheviks, the Patriarchate of Constantinople claimed the role of mediator between the Russian Church (“Tikhonovskaia”) and the Pro-Soviet Renovationist schism.

All-Russian Church Council of 1917–1918 as a Phenomenon of the Conciliar Practice of the Church

The author considers All-Russian Church Council of 1917 – 1918th as a special phenomenon of the conciliar practice of the Orthodox Church. He analyses the composition and arrangement of the Council in its historical context, paying particular attention to the role of the laity and bishops. A strong representation of laity allowed to avoid the conflict between married and monastic clergy.