New-York tribune., 1918-05-12
The Russian Church Is Weak
ened, Not Purified

"HE Orthodox Russian Church is
now probably passing through the
most crucial period of it's history,
according to c. Zvegintsov, writ
ing in "The New Europe" In the face
of the recent Bolshevist decree separat-
ing Church and State in Russia, the
writer wonders whether the Church may
not perish, or whether it will emerge
"weakened numerically and materially,
but purified and regenerated by the fiery
trial and strong with the strength of
ten, because its heart is pure" The
article, which gives noteworthy review
Of the causes leading up to the present
situation, follows in part:
"The revolution of 1917 liberated the
Church from a two centuries oppression
snd suppression. The provisional gov
ernment. granting freedom of conscience
and of worship, announced the convocation
of the All-Russia Church Assembly.
great wave of revival swept through the
Church. 1t was like breath of fresh air
in the close atmosphere of Church life.
Local Church councils met in nearly all
dioceses, and clergy and laymen for the
first time after many years discussed in
common questions of church and parish
reform, and drew up instructions for their
delegates to the All Russia Assembly.
"The metropolitans of Petrograd and
Moscow and several diocesan bishops
were elected by suffrage, laymen taking
part in the polling, thus opening new era
in Russian Church life. All the newly
elected were already ordained bishops, but
in Moscow a strong current had mani
tested itself for the election of a we'll
known and popular lay Church worker, and
only his repeated and decided refusal pre-
vented his becoming Metropolitan.
"At last the All Russia Church Assembly
was opened with great solemnity on
August 1928. in the ancient historical
Uspenski Cathedral in the Krenln. A
special service was celebrated, at the end
Of which the Greed was chanted by all
the members. Deeply impressed by the
great task that lay before them, the mem
bers of the assembly, gathered from all
parts Of Russia, before settling down to
work undertook solemn pilgrimage to the
famous Troitsa Monastery, near Moscow, to
invoke the blessing of Saint sergius, the
great lnterceder for the Russian land.'
After the preliminary stage Of organiza-
tion was passed three distinct currents be-
came manifest throughout the debates.
"The restoration of the patriarchate was
advocated as return to the early trad
tions of the Eastern Church, which al
ways admitted of a spiritual head OF the
Church, though by no means in Roman
Catholic sense. The danger of the patrl-
Archaic becoming a source OF ecclesiastical
despotism and reaction should be averted
by the creation Of permanent church
council. elected by suffrage from among
both clergy and laity. Periodical assem-
hliss should be convoked to discuss i'm
portant problems and vital needs OF
church life. Fundamental reforms and re-
organization of the parish were included
in the programme, giving full scope Tor
public initiative and self-government.
What would have been the development OF
these reforms under normal conditions OF
social life it is difficult to say. But time
and tide wait for no man, nor does
revolution. The relentless tide OF events
rolled on, sweeping away old forms ana
Institutions.
"The heavy guns doomed out the proela-
nation Of civil war in Moscow during the
election of the patriarch. All lands be-
longing to the churches and monasteries
were confscated shortly after, and the
publication of the decree for the separa-
ton of Church and State is probably
matter OF, the immediate future.
"rhus has the Church passed without
transjtion from the sheltered harbor OF
government protection straight into the
very heart of the storm"