History/2. The general history

Senior lecturer Artemova S.F.

doctor of historical sciences Koroljev А.А.

Penza State University of Architecture and Construction, Russia

RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN THE GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR (ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE PENZA REGION)

«The boundary situation» the Great Patriotic War has forced the Soviet authorities to «amnesty» religion actually. There was a considerable rapprochement of a mode to the Russian Orthodox Church closely connected with national history. Substantially this rapprochement has been caused by the patriotic position occupied with Russian Orthodox Church in days of war, its role in a victory was considerable. Metropolitan Sergy during the military period more than 23 times addressed with patriotic appeals to believers. The total sum of money resources of Russian Orthodox Church to the government of the USSR has made to spring of 1945 over 300 million roubles. Active international activity of the Moscow patriarchy promoted strengthenings of authority of the country.

The Penza orthodox communities also have not stood aside. In 1945 of the sermon of Penza bishop Michael (Postnikov M.S.) have caused, according to the authorised Council about affairs of Russian Orthodox Church about the Penza region Lysmankin N.I., considerable patriotic lifting at believers that was expressed in fund raising in various funds. About it bishop Postnikov addressed to Stalin I.V. has directed the telegramme: «In the sermons and conversations the clergy puts the problem to develop at believers passionate love to the Native land, to our Government both the ingenious Leader and the commander to companion Stalin I.V.» [State archive of the Penza region (SАPr). F. 2391. In. 1. M. 3. L. 22]. Sermons of priests of cities of area – Penza, Kuznetsk and others differed большей intellectuality, a social orientation and an urgency, approach to problems of military daily occurrence, in comparison with countryside that spoke, apparently, level of audience on which sermons, and clerics, younger and professionally prepared are calculated.

Payments of orthodox churches of the Penza edge in days of the Great Patriotic War on the patriotic purposes went to funds of defense, the help to families of military men, invalids of Patriotic war, on gifts to fighters, the military state loan, an accomplishment of a city (cemeteries), bonds, a cash and prize lottery etc. Only for one quarter 1945 Payments have made 2072000 roubles, of them in «Fund to children and families of military men» - 142000, «Fund of invalids of Patriotic war» - 45000, on 4th military loan – 3299000, under bonds «Fund to children of military men» - 500000. The personal contribution Penza clergy Singular clergy Plural clergy 232000 roubles [Dvorzhansky A.I. History of the Penza diocese. Penza, 1999. P. 345]. In total during the Great Patriotic War by parishioners and clergy of the Penza churches for the aid to front it has been collected more than 8 million Roubles from which the basic part had on three churches – Mitrofanovsky both Mironositsky in Penza and Kazan in Kuznetsk [SАPr. F. 2392. In. 1. M. 27. L. 128].

Especially in days of war the prior of the Kazan church of Kuznetsk archpriest Mihajlov Avraamy Petrovich who has received for time of war three thanks of Stalin I.V. for the monetary help rendered to front has caused a stir.

Regional orthodox clerics in aspiration to keep fragile balance in relations with the power sometimes even «went to far» in demonstration of the loyalty, causing tearing away in believers. The representative of Council about Russian Orthodox Church affairs across the Penza region Lysmankin N.I. marked: «… Рatriotic work was spent by Clergy of rural temples with great attention so in some settlements there were malicious hearings that now church – new, and its attendants – обновленцы. For a refutation of these hearings the clergy had to explain to believers about management of Russian church. The benevolent and attentive relation to church from the Soviet government in general and in particular from the great and wise leader of Generalissimo Stalin I.V.» [SАPr. F. 2392. In. 1. М. 27. L. 128].

In 1944-1946 stably forward dynamics of giving of petitions for opening of churches, then – obvious recession in result of next «crackdown» concerning faiths was registered from the state. In total since 1944 on 1949 from orthodox believers of the Penza edge to various state instances it has been submitted about 600 statements from 177 settlements of area with applications on opening of churches. From all submitted applications 1944-1947 it has been satisfied 89 of 31 settlements of area - 17,2 % to total of petitions [SАPr. F. 2392. In. 1. М. 27. L. 6]. As motives for refusal the various reasons - an unsatisfactory condition of church buildings, their use under the cultural-economic purposes, refusal subscribed under statements from the signatures served, i.e. them have ostensibly forged etc.

During the military period of Russian Orthodox Church has organizational got stronger that did not coincide with intentions of the Soviet state-party management. The religion contrary to powerful efforts of the authorities represented rather significant to a component to lives of the Soviet people. Though in a socialist society the scientifically-materialistic outlook should dominate, «opium for the people» did not hand over the positions. The Soviet management, realising all danger of the given position, aspired to keep control of a situation and in every way «to release the Soviet people from a captivity of religious prejudices», especially extended in days of war.