Russian Orthodox Church after the revolution of 1917

Russian Orthodox Church after the revolution of 1917 We receive many questions about what happened to the Church after the Russian revolution of 1917 and the religious life, as it was during the Communist regime in Russia.As know, in 1914 Russia had 55 173 Russian Orthodox churches and 29 chapels, 593, 112 629 priests and deacons, 550 monasteries and 475 nunneries, with a total of 95 259 inhabitants.As approached the twentieth century, Russia has the largest church in the National world.Although the freedom of religious expression has been officially declared by one of first decrees of the revolutionary govement in January 1918, the Church and its followers were persecuted and deeply disadvantaged. Before the Russian Revolution, there were some 54 000 functioning parishes and over 150 bishops. There have been bloody and cruel murder of the early bishops and priests, and the massacres of believers during the Red Terror and the following years of repression was shocking. The persecutions were also higher than the persecutions of the old Christian Church, both in the number of saints and martyrs of the ruthlessness and ingenuity of the religious leaders persecutors.Many fled Russia during the revolution and civil war that followed. Who have contributed to the spread of the Orthodox Church in many countries. However, some leaders even formed their own organization that became known as the Russian Orthodox Church outside of Russia. They are divided into two by the Russian Church. During the 1920-'30, most of the churches were blown up, bued or buildings with more than 50 thousand priests were executed or sent to labor camps.   In 1939, there were fewer than 100 functioning parishes and only four bishops.During the second world war, religious persecution in the Soviet Union has become less pronounced, due in part to the cooperation of the Church with the State conceing national defense. Years 1944-45 saw the reopening of Moscow Theological Academy and Seminary had been closed since 1918. After the death of Joseph Stalin in 1953, relations between Church and State began to deteriorate again. Until perestroika, the public expression of religious faith - Christian or not - it was frowned upon; known parishioners are deprived of certain social rights, could not be members of the Communist Party, which in tu, severely limits their career opportunities and Many have lost their jobs and privileges. All Soviet students were required to attend courses in the so-called "scientific atheism". Cathedral of Christ the Savior, was bombed in 1931 and became a heated outdoor pool. The restoration began in 1995.Some priests of the Russian Orthodox Church and other churches in the Soviet Union were secretly employed by the KGB for the govement to discover that he was a member of the Church. Despite the dangers, many people remained in secret or openly religious. In 1987 in the Russian Federation between 40% and 50% of infants were baptized and over 60% of all deceased received Christian funeral services.A crucial moment in the history of the Russian Orthodox Church was in 1988 - the millennium of Baptism of Russia. It seems now that the govement has realized the fruitlessness of their efforts in its war against religion and instead sought to use religion to gain the support of people.Throughout summer of 1988, supported by the govement, major events took place in Moscow and other cities and many churches and monasteries have been reopened. An implicit ban on religious propaganda on state TV was finally lifted. For the first time in the history of the Soviet Union, users can use their televisions to see the live broadcasts of services from central churches.Today, the Russian Orthodox Church is the largest of the Easte Orthodox churches worldwide. Over 90% of the population of ethnic Russians, who identify as Russian Orthodox. The number of people who regularly attend religious services is significantly lower, but growing each year. The Church has more than 23,000 parishes, 154 bishops, 635 monasteries, and 102 office schools.Anastasia Dukhnina   M & M Art Travel   Lea more about the history and Russian culture