Faith and Russia

[puppyshoes]

Until the Russian revulution, Russia was known world as Holy Russia. The people of Russia did't change simply because a minority of the people were militant anti-religion,regardless of the faith. Still Russia prevailed and is on the other side. Now the people of Russia have a choice. She never did before.

[andrewblow]

I've heard of 'Mother Russia', but I know what you are saying.

I guess before the revolution only the orthodox faith existed, so one was either 'a christian' (Orthodox) or a pagan.

The orthodox faith stayed underground, but in people's hearts right through the revolution, the purges, the wars, the 'cold war', etc and now: basically a 'freedom of choice' with many other branches of the christian faith, but also the freedom to say almost anything you like about any subject you like.

I have great respect for those who upheld the faith in their hearts - sometimes even to death.....they have walked in shoes I have not been required to do.

Andrew

[brian66]

yes ANDREW ..when we consider what the early believers went through for their faith the suffering ,tortures and deaths..we all at times ask ourselves "could i go through all that, and still hold fast to the faith "?..but then i say if that time ever came then wouldent THE LORD give US the strength to do so the same as he strengthend them ? ..BRIAN

[harmonicpursuit]

You are all oversimplifying pre-soviet religion in Russia.

The holiness of Russia was closely linked to political leaders. Early Russian monasteries were not famous. They were humble and stern. Associating Russian orthodoxy with imperial prestige undermines the the personal and spiritual connection central to faith in rural Russia.

The assertion that Russians were either Christians or pagans before the bolsheviks wrong. Muslims, Buddhists, and Jews made sigificant portions of the Russian population long before the 20th century.

Also, there was not one universal "orthodox" version of Christiantity practiced throughout Russia. Rome's influence goes back as far as Vladimir and northern routes of protestantism go back centuries as well. Also, there have always been disputes among the Russian bishops.

[STritonE]

Check this: (on russian language).

[For_Mis.2]

Before the revolution there were many faiths. One of the tsars, I'm not sure which one, but he lived in the late 19th century, he invited the Amish Mennonites to care for the vast forest of the east. The problem was that the Amish are pacifist. The tsar made a special provision and let the young men serve as forest rangers. After the Communist took over the Amish refused to serve in the armed forces. Although some Amish escaped the Soviet Union, most of them disappeared. Aside from them there were Baptist, Church of Christ, many Catholics and of course there are the Jewish. Russian Orthodox make up the majority of faiths. Puppyshoes is a close friend of mine, she has a vast knowledge of theology and history, the problem is she has done everything in her power to log on. She has been sent various passwords but none of them work.