Stages in the political persecution of the clergy in the 1920-1930s. father Sergius Nikitsky: the rector of the Vladimir church in the village of Kraskovo, Moscow province

The article, using the example of the life of the rector of the church in honor of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God in the village of Kraskovo near Moscow, Father Sergius Nikitsky, reveals the mechanism of the repressive policy of the Soviet government against the clergy and laity who openly professed their faith or were actively involved in the life of the church (who were members of church Councils, parish workers, etc.). Based on the analysis of archival sources and literature on the stated topic, the article concludes that the repressions against the Church were of a periodic nature. Changing in forms and content, but not completely ceasing throughout the existence of the Soviet government, they became more active in certain periods, in accordance with certain domestic and foreign policy events, economic tasks, as well as directives and resolutions of the leadership of the RSFSR and the USSR, aimed at streamlining church-state relations. Considering the series of arrests of Father Sergiy Nikitsky in the 1920s and 1930s, the author comes to the conclusion that their causes do not correlate in any way with the allegedly illegal activities of the priest, and their periodization corresponds to the general trends of anti-church policy. The material of the article is based on archival documents identified and researched by the author personally, some of which are introduced into scientific circulation for the first time.