repressions

Catholic Liturgical Practices in Soviet Russia in the 1920s and 1930s: Canonical Norms and Anomalies

This paper examines changes in the liturgical and paraliturgical practices of Roman Catholics in Soviet Russia in the 1920s and 1930s. Nine documents from different archives outside Russia were first used to show changes made at the request of Russian Catholics. These documents deal with a number of disciplinary issues, such as the time for the celebration of Mass, observation of a natural fast before Mass, permission for lay people to bring Holy communion to the sick or imprisoned people. The Holy See readily relaxed canonical requirements.

Repressions, Economic Pressure and Survival Strategies of the Orthodox Clergy in Kazan Diocese in the 1930s

The article explores the conditions of life and activities of Orthodox clergy of the Kazan diocese, primarily in the city of Kazan and some Kazan suburbs, in the 1930s. Drawing upon published and archival sources, various forms of state pressure on the clergy are illustrated: «labor duties», identifying the lishentsy (disenfranchised citizens) by Komsomol «activists», raising tax pressure; and all other instruments with the main goal of eliminating the impact of Church institutions in society.