HVK Archives: Christian revivalism in Russia
Christian revivalism in Russia - Organiser
Shyam Khosla
()
May 3, 1998
Title: Christian revivalism in Russia
Author: Shyam Khosla
Publication: Organiser
Date: May 3, 1998
A magnificent church, Christ the Saviour, has come up close to
the famous Red Square in the heart of Moscow at the site of a
demolished church. Locals are fond of taking their guests,
particularly foreign ones, to show round the artistically built
building. Mayor of Moscow, one is informed, took the initiative
to raise a hefty sum from the neo-rich and common citizens for
its reconstruction immediately after the collapse of the
Communist regime.
The Communists had demolished the old church to make room for a
swimming pool after the "revolution". It is no secret that they
demolished several thousand churches all over the land or put
them to non-religious uses. A large number of them, including the
one just opposite the Kemlin, are in dilapidated condition. But
the Russians chose to concentrate on re-building Chist the
Saviour. Why?
Is it because the Russians perceived the demolition and
desecration 80 years ago as a national humiliation and, the
swimming pool that took its place as a symbol of slavery to the
Communist dogma? Religious sentiments may have something to do
with it but largely it is a re-assertion of the Russian revival
and the demise of the Godless regime. Many a Russian regrets that
in the process the swimming pool that they loved had to go. But
there is no outcry against 'religious fundamentalists' for
destroying the pool to build a church. Are the secular
fundamentalists back home listening?
This writer too was taken to the church on a Sunday during the
Mass that was attended by several hundred Russians-old and young.
Eight decades of Communist indoctrination and suppression of
religions have failed to kill people's faith in religion. All of
those in the church were born in the post-Revolution era. The
sight of young girls moving round silently to light candles at
all conceivable places was an interesting experience.
The collapse of the Communist state and disintegration of USSR
have stunned the population. Russians are a confused lot. They
are struggling to rediscover themselves. For example, a recent
national survey showed 70 per cent of Russians describing
themselves as Orthodox Christians while an equal number saying
they were atheists.
lie transformation from a controlled Socialist society to a
Capitalist economy has been a painful experience for the common
man. A neo-rich class has emerged, which has cornered the wealth
but there is chaos on the economic front. Industrial and farm
production has gone down sharply. A population used to assured
employment and basic needs is suddenly exposed to the vagaries of
free economy. Unemployment is on the rise.
Russians are a patient and disciplined nation. People have learnt
to stand in queues for hours to buy junk food from an American
outlet. The anarchy prevailing in the capital and outside is not
visible to the naked eye. But unemployed youth have organised
gangs to extract protection money, from businessmen, including
foreigners.
Communists are exploiting the chaotic conditions to their
advantage. They have emerged as the single largest party in the
State Duma (lower house of parliament). They are keen to be a
part of a national coalition but other parties are not willing to
join hands with them. Olga A. Beklimishcheva of the Social
Democratic Party of Russia says she has no faith in the
Communists. They are virtually the political untouchables in
Russian Federation.
Konstantin S. Sveliev of the Communist Party slays the republics
that parted company with the Soviet Union are now realising that
they cannot survive on their own. His contention is that the per
capita income of former Soviet Republics has sharply gone down
and their economy is in bad shape. He is of the view that a new
alliance based on equality and mutual goodwill will emerge in due
course of time.
Russian Communists believe that the collapse of the USSR has
compromised the defence of the region. "We have lost our land,
sovereignty, everything", laments Sveliev, who is a member of the
Sate Duma. There was a lot of interdependence among former Soviet
Republics. They used to depend on, one another, for building
machines and equipment. The disintegration of the Soviet Union
has created problems for all of them. While no one believes the
old Union in can be revived, hope persists that some sort of a
new economic and political arrangement will emerge. Indian
Communist settled Moscow are die hards, at least the ones this
writer came across. But there are many a reformed Russian
Communist. They admit of mistakes committed by the Communist
Party. Concentration of all powers at the top is admittedly the
worst crime. The system saw to it that the citizens had no mind
of their own. They just followed the leader.
Intellectual freedom is the price the people paid for the
survival of a decadent and corrupt system. It produced a highly
educated but thoughtless population.
On the positive side, the Communist regime did build the
infrastructure. Russian roads are excellent. Power, energy and
communications units work perfectly. Every Oat, shop and office
is heated. In any case, no one can survive without heated working
and living places in sub-zero temperatures.
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