"Fighting with Tikhon's reactionary element ends..." Information summary № 5 from VI branch of the secret department of the GPU on the distribution of the renovationist movement in the RSFSR

One of the consequences of the Russian revolution was the so-called Renovationist schism in the Russian Orthodox Church (1922-1946). Speaking for the renewal of Church life, the reformers, in fact, grossly violated the canonical norms, at the same time trying to reconcile Christianity with the Communist ideology. On the other hand the Bolshevik leadership was interested in a manageable Church organization, which was planned to use for their purposes and then destroy. The occurrence of schism connected with the campaign for the confiscation of Church valuables (1922). Legally elected Patriarch Tikhon was accused of counterrevolutionary activities and soon isolated from the flock, and in May 1922 beginning to function the Supreme ecclesiastical administration (renovationist). For realization of the purposes of the renovationists was formed Plenipotentiaries of this body in the dioceses, that led to a confrontation between those who recognized the Supreme ecclesiastical administration and those who remained loyal to Patriarch Tikhon. Soon the renovationist movement was divided into several groups and after the reorganization of the Supreme ecclesiastical authority at its meeting of 16 October 1922, it became coalition. February 6, 1922 was formed the State political administration (GPU). Its Central apparatus included Secret-operative management (SDA), which had 10 departments, in particular the Secret Department. VI Branch of the Secret Department, which from May 1922 to October 1929 was headed by E. A. Tuchkov, fought with the Orthodox Church and other denominations and sects. One of the most important sources on the history of the renovationist movement are informational Bulletins VI Branch of the Secret Department GPU, so far only partially introduced into scientific circulation, not all of them are detected. These documents provide valuable information about the distribution of «Renovationist» schism in the country, describing not only the General situation in the Church life, but also the activities of the organs GPU, aimed at deepening the «Renovationist» schism. This publication for the first time fully introduces into scientific circulation the information summary No. 5 VI Branch of the Secret Department GPU «on the distribution of the renovationist movement of the RSFSR» for the period from December 15, 1922 - February 15, 1923.