Metropolitan Guriy (Egorov) in the history of relations between Russian Orthodox Church and Soviet power in Ukraine in the mid-1950s - mid-1960s

The article deals with the problem of church-state relations in Ukraine in the mid-1950s - mid-1960s by a case study of the personal history of Metropolitan Guriy. There are two stages of church-state relations in the above-mentioned period. In the first stage (1954-1958), a compromise model of these relations development took place and made it possible to develop activities in the revival of religious life in the Ukrainian dioceses. During the second stage (1961-1965), Metropolitan Guriy had to conduct an intense dialogue with the authorities, defend the interests of the Russian Orthodox Church, and adapt himself to the changing environment of state religious policy. Bishop Guriy as a head of the diocese defended Orthodox traditions in Eastern Ukraine. The involvement of clergy in the diocese activity focused on the constructive activity of the Moscow Patriarchate was of his great concern. Despite the opposition of the local commissioner and city, Soviet and party authorities, Metropolitan Guriy tried his best to improve the educational and professional level of deans. He counted on the latter educating the parish priests and pastors. Guriy actively fought against the diocesan department, explained his views, and revealed the flimsy denunciations by means of reliable information.