Evening star., 1942-11-14

to establish the identity OF the
criminals" guilty of the organiza-
ton or execution of crimes in oc-
cupied Soviet territories.
A few days after this event, the
Metropolitan Sergi Of Moscow, act
ing patriarch of the church, sent q
message to Stain on the occasion
Of the 25th anniversary of the revo-
luton, hailing him as the "di-
vinely appointed leader of our
armed and cultural forces leading us
to victory over the barbarian in
vasion."
At the same time, the patriarch
declared, in an interview, reported
by the Stockholm correspondent Of
Religious News Service, that the
Soviet constitution grants all citi-
zens perfect liberty of conscience,
that churches are open to all be-
levers, and that nobody is being
prosecuted because OF his religious
faith.
The blessing bestowed upon Stain
by the Orthodox Church head is a
new note, although it's implied sup
port of the war is not. On June
20, 194l, Sergi pledged the support
of the church to the Soviet war ef-
for and left a sick bed to conduct
high mass at the Yelokhove Ca
thedral; at which prayers were Of
fered for victory for the Soviet
troops. Similar services took place
all over Russia and pastoral let
ter from the acting patriarch was
read, in which he called upon the
faithful to defend the fatherland,
and appealed to the clergy to help
the victims OF the war.
To Support War Effort.
The church has kept its pledge to
support the war effort. It has made
substantial contributions to the
Russian war fund, and has placed
its spiritual resources unreservedly
at the service of the Russian Army
Individual clergymen have joined
the army and are in combat serv-
ice. One Orthodox priest, leader of
band of guerrilla fighters, recently
was decorated with the Lenin Cross.
The popular approval of the part
the church has played in the war
effort is regarded as one of the
chief reasons for the appointment
of Metropolitan Nikolai on the
Soviet War Damage Commission.
The appointment sets a precedent
in church-state relations in Soviet
Russia. So much so that some re-
ligious leaders here describe the
development as significant conces-
sion to religious faith and a definite
step toward friendlier church-state
relations.
Like the patriarch Sergei, the
Metropolitan Nikolai has been con-
sistently friendly toward the Soviet
regime. But his appointment to
an important state commission is
nevertheless regarded in some re-
ligious quarters here as a conces-
sion to religion generally rather
than personal honor. 1t is point
ed out in this connection that one
important effect of the new de-
velopment is to give recognition to
the. church as part of the ma
tional life in Russia. It is pointed
out that hitherto the church has
been played down by the Soviet
press, but change of policy is fore
seen in the future, resulting in
more favorable attitude toward the
church on the part of non-wor-
shippers.
More cautious observers are, how
ever, inclined to attribute the de-
velopment to a recognition by the
Soviet government of the i'm
portance of religion to people out
side Russia, rather than as being
indicative of any fundamental
change in the attitude of the gov
ernment toward religion.
Policy Changing.
Churchmen are generally divided
In their appraisal of the apparently
changing policy of the Soviet gov
ernment toward religion. Some be-
lieve the government is moving
toward religious freedom; others are
not so confident. This division of
opinion is high lighted in two re-
cent books on the problem, both
written by Russians.
In "The Christian Church and
the Soviet State" Serge Bolshakoff
predicts religious freedom will even
tually be attained. He states:
There are many reasons to sup
pose that eventually a satisfactory
modus vivendi between the state
and the church will be reached and
the latter will regain freedom of
propaganda and the possibility of
organizing its life on more perma-
nent basis than at present.
Oft Ynau ha fokar, fo-. cr,.o ..AaxI 4I.I