To the question of changing the political situation of the Russian orthodox church in the USSR in the 40's - early 50's of the XXth century

The article examines the directions of the Soviet state confessional policy towards the Russian Orthodox Church, realized in the 40s - early 50s of the 20th century. It is noted that the main reason for the beginning of convergence of religion and power has become a foreign policy factor. In 1941, the USSR negotiated the alliance with the United States and Britain. Authorized representatives of these countries at a meeting in Moscow put forward a condition - to stop the oppression of the Russian Orthodox Church. The article emphasizes the negative impact of Nazi occupation on the Church internal stability. Analyzes the transfer of part of the parishes of Moldova and southern Ukraine under the jurisdiction of the Romanian Patriarchy, the promotion of autocephaly churches in Ukraine and Belarus, activity on the territory of Russia of the clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, which had its own hierarchy, is not included in the jurisdiction of the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church Metropolitan Sergius. Particular attention in the work is paid to question of the preparation of party and church leadership for the holding of the All-Orthodox Council, which was to consolidate over Moscow Patriarch the title of the Ecumenical and strengthen the position of the Russian Orthodox Church on the world arena. The article formulates a conclusion about the directed use by the Soviet leadership the ideological potential of the ROC for raising the level of patriotism of citizens. Assesses the activities of the Council on the affairs of the Russian Orthodox Church at the Council of People's Commissars (CM) of the USSR - the coordination link between the Soviet authorities and the ROC. It is noted that due to council activities, the Church has ceased to be considered exclusively an object of supervision and has acquired the status of an important public institution. On the basis of the materials reviewed, it is concluded that the reason for the tightening of the state confessional course was the limited possibilities for the ROC to influence the world politics.