Social Problems of Russian Orthodox Emigration in Letters of Metropolitan Anthony (Khrapovitsky) in 1934: Overview and Characteristics (According to Materials of State Archive of Russian Federation)

The article presents the study of the correspondence of Metropolitan Anthony (Khrapovitsky), the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, with various individuals and organizations in 1934. These materials are introduced into scholarly discourse for the first time. Drawing on a wide range of sources, an overview of the problems of the inner-church life of Russian post-revolutionary emigration is presented, such as comprehension of the reasons which brought to the collapse of the state and social system of the Russian Empire; comprehension of objectives before the Russian Church Abroad; educational Orthodox mission in a foreign culture; financial condition of the Church and its parishes, clergy and their flocks; charity; getting Russian emigrants into employment in different countries of residence; specifics of the Church’s relationship with Moscow Patriarchate; and attempts to overcome the schism with Metropolitan Evloghios (Georgievsky). The article presents new historical facts regarding the shaping and development of the inner-church life of Russian compatriots in the 1930s, and it also shows the relevance of their experience in building the Church today.