Related articles and links |  1 of 3

Though the Cold War has ended and democracy is attempting to take hold in the former Soviet Union, the Russian people still live with the devastating consequences of seven decades of Communist domination. Between the physical and political persecution of its members and the loss of many of its key leaders and places of worship, the Orthodox church suffered tremendously.

Still, says Patriarch Aleksii II, the current head of the Russian Orthodox Church, God has sustained his people during their time of travail. Before assuming the role of patriarch in 1990, Aleksii, 66, served in various roles within the church's Moscow headquarters. In 1986, however, he was transferred to Leningrad because his outspoken requests for easing religious repression incensed Soviet leadership.

At that time, recalls Aleksii, supporters of the policies of state atheism did not know that their own power was coming to an end. Here the patriarch talks to CT about the restoration of religion in Russia and his role as the head of the nation's most influential church.

WHAT IS THE CURRENT STATE OF THE RUSSIAN CHURCH?

The church suffered grievous losses during the period of totalitarianism. Millions of Christians, including a majority of the clergy, became victims of the repressions of the communistic authorities. Many were executed or died from hunger and deprivation. Tens of millions of our compatriots were torn away from the church and their faith after yielding to the influence of atheistic propaganda. Nevertheless, the church was kept from complete ruin. Seventy-odd years of state atheism were not able to destroy the deep spiritual roots of our people. The Lord sent us trials, but he also gave us the strength to overcome them.

As soon as the harsh restrictions introduced during the Soviet period passed away, there began a massive reopening of church buildings that had been seized from the church in the past as well as the building of new ones. Believers now gather in church buildings without fear of persecution by the authorities. The number of spiritual educational institutions has significantly increased, as has the number of their students. Religious literature is widely published. The Word of God can be heard over radio and television. The church finally has acquired widespread opportunities for witnessing to the truth.

WHAT ARE YOUR PERSONAL FEELINGS ABOUT BEING THE HEAD OF THE RUSSIAN CHURCH AT THIS HISTORIC MOMENT?

I do not hide the fact that it was with fear and trembling that I embarked on a new path in my life when I became the head of the Russian church. I have never separated myself, nor do I now separate my destiny, from that of this country or from the destiny of the church.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE PARAMOUNT MISSION OF THE CHURCH TODAY?

In our day, the most urgent task of parishes, monastic communities, and of the entire church is a ministry of intensive evangelization aimed at filling the enormous spiritual vacuum in the people, the descendants of former Orthodox Christians, by the preaching of Christ our Savior.

WHAT RELATIONS NOW EXIST BETWEEN THE ORTHODOX AND NON-ORTHODOX-PARTICULARLY PROTESTANT-CHURCHES IN RUSSIA?

During the years of Soviet rule, the Orthodox and non-Orthodox churches suffered equally from government atheism and supported each other in a fraternal manner when it came to the subject of survival and about how to carry the good news to the people. Now, under the conditions of restored religious freedom, we are striving to preserve the same fraternal relationships as before. Each time problems arise that disturb our country and society, we together try to find ways to resolve them in accordance with our convictions.

next page... |  1 of 3

June 19 1995, Vol. 39, No. 7