Руската Православна църква в годините на революцията
The Russian Оrthodox church in the context of the revolution

Summary/Abstract: This article engages primarily on the struggle for survival of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) during the first decade after the October Revolution (1917). It begins with a summary of the condition of the ROC in the beginning of the 20th century, the abolition of the Monarchy, the opening of the largely anticipated All-Russian Church Council and the rising of the Bolsheviks into power. The article focuses extensively on the anti-religious policies and practices undertaken by the Bolshevik regime in its efforts to compromise and eventually to destroy the ROC. These include confiscating of church property and valuables, introduction of atheist propaganda and its infiltration into the educational system, the creation of a new "Living Church" in attempt to dissociate the ROC from within, etc. It also provides numerous accounts for the systematic terror exercised upon the ROC, including executions of its members and clergy. The article closes with the aftermath of Patriarch Tikhon's death (1925) and briefly outlines the situation of the ROC on the verge of World War II

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