THE BATTLE FOR THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

THE BATTLE FOR THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCHThis book is a collection of articles written during the last twenty five odd years on the crisis enveloping the Russian Orthodox Church. As the Soviet Union began to collapse in 1989 1990, its faithful ecclesiastical slave, the Sovietised Moscow Patriarchate (MP), also began to break up. The Catacomb or True Orthodox Church, which had always refused to recognise Soviet power or its Soviet church, emerged from the underground, and the Russian Church

This book is a collection of articles written during the last twenty-five-odd years on the crisis enveloping the Russian Orthodox Church. As the Soviet Union began to collapse in 1989-1990, its faithful ecclesiastical slave, the Sovietised Moscow Patriarchate (MP), also began to break up. The Catacomb or True Orthodox Church, which had always refused to recognise Soviet power or its ÒSoviet churchÓ, emerged from the underground, and the Russian Church Abroad (ROCOR) created parishes on Russian soil into which both ÒcatacombniksÓ and former members of the patriarchate entered. It was a time of great hope for the resurrection of Russian Orthodoxy. Tragically, those hopes have not been fulfilled. From the mid-1990s, and especially since KGB colonel PutinÕs arrival at the height of power in 2000, the MP has recovered its position in society while its opponents have warred amongst themselves and fragmented. Most recently, the Russian Church Abroad led by Metropolitan Laurus has joined the MP, thereby betraying the Orthodox Faith and the ecclesiastical course of the Russian Church Abroad throughout its history. These essays reflect that process by one who participated in it both inside and outside Russia. Since writing these essays, I have changed my attitude towards some of the church figures mentioned in them. However, I have decided to make only minor editorial changes to the texts, insofar as I believe the arguments set out in them remain valid. Although the picture here drawn may be depressing, the purpose of this book is constructive. It is hoped and believed that by studying recent history, we, the True Orthodox Christians of Russia may repent of our sins and learn from our mistakes and unite again on a firm basis of faith and love. Then, through the prayers of the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors, Holy Russia will rise again from the ashes of the present neo-Soviet catastrophe, to the glory of Christ and the salvation of very many throughout the world!