2019 №2 (63) Article 4

Yu. V. Geraskin, S. N. Jayranov

THE AUTHORITIES AND THE CLERGY DURING THE PERIOD OF COLLECTIVIZATION IN THE RYAZAN PROVINCE

UDC 947.084.62(471.313)

 

The article treats the relationships between secular and religious institutions during the period of collectivization when priests were accused of favoring wealthy peasants. Atheist propaganda was a part of an ideological campaign aimed at the formation of collective farms. The article analyzes the Soviet attempt to target religion and the Russian church by closing cathedrals, introducing administrative and social limitations aimed at preventing liturgical activities, banning church bells, removing bells. Moreover, religious institutions experienced heavy administrative and fiscal pressure. Priests had to pay inflated insurance costs, were denied registration, were deprived of their possessions and were forced to initiate laicization. Seeing that their traditional lifestyle is being destroyed, many Russian peasants protested. Some peasants protested actively and publically, while others passively complained and spread leaflets. Peasantsʼ mass protests against the governmentʼs antireligious policy swept the country. Peasants expressed their indignation at the fact that churches were closed, church values were seized, church bells were silenced, and priests were arrested. Even though religious institutions in Russian villages were eliminated, Russian peasantsʼ desperate protests enabled people to preserve Orthodox Christian traditions and infrastructure.

collectivization; church; Village Council; priest; peasant; bulletin; elimination; rebellion

 

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