Tulyanov V.A.

The initial stage of perestroika in the sphere of church-state relations: the Russian Orthodox Church and the Soviet state in 1985–1987. Pp. 59–67.

UDC 94(47).084.9

DOI 10.37724/RSU.2025.86.1.006

 

Abstract. The article analyzes church-state relations at the initial stage of perestroika in the USSR (1985–1987). The study is base source represented by archival materials stored in the Russian State Archive of Contemporary History (RGANI). The relationship between the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and the Soviet state in the period under study is characterized by uncertainty and chaotic decisions of the party-state leaders and can be described as a time of “turbulence” in these relationships, which is reflected in the polarization of views of the party-state apparatus on the issues of changing the legislation on religious denominations and the practice of church-state relations. On the one hand, the Council for Religious Affairs under the Council of Ministers of the USSR took into account the growth of civil activity and political culture of religious citizens. The Council observed the public demand for a church free from administrative control and the strengthening of the ROC as an institution, and proposed to remove most restrictions on social activities of the church, granting it the status and rights of a legal entity, but recommended strengthening atheist propaganda in the country. The Council of Ministers of the USSR (and probably M. S. Gorbachev personally) was quite skeptical about the possible strengthening of the role of the church in Soviet society and prevented changes in the legislation on religious denominations, while increasing administrative pressure on the ROC and atheistic propaganda. But the growth of public demand for religion and the church, which was reflected even in the Soviet press, as well as the interest in supporting the policy of perestroika by all strata and groups of the population, led to a revision of this policy. However, this happened only in 1988.

 

Keywords: Russian Orthodox Church, Council for Religious Affairs under the Council of Ministers of the USSR, perestroika, church and state relations, M. S. Gorbachev, K. M. Kharchev, Alexius II (Ridiger).

 

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