Russian Orthodox Church in 1958-1988: its status and activities

This article is concerned with the analysis of the social status and activities of the Russian Orthodox Church clergy during religious persecutions conducted by N. Khrushchev up to the beginning of perestroika. The author characterizes the essence of the state control over the Church personnel policy. The limitations of the clergy’s activity as a result of the reform of the parish administration in 1961 are studied. The author also identified the problem of the increased staff in parishes with a disproportionately small number of potential parishioners. On the basis of the archival materials and published documents, it is shown that during this period the Church was totally controlled by the state, which in every way limited its canonical activity. At the same time, the Church effectively used the platforms of “fighters for peace” and “patriotic activity” provided by the authorities. As a result the Church managed to train a new highly professional personnel and to gain credibility not only in the Soviet society but throughout the world as well. The author came to a conclusion that the proper employment of very limited opportunities during this historical period largely depended on the personality of the Bishop and priests.