"This is significant in my estimation. For one thing, the language used – i.e. “godless Soviet authorities – is quite bold. It indicates that the Church is now mature enough to call a spade a spade. It also indicates that the political situation in the Russian Federation is anti-communist enough to not have to placate that particular ideology. . ."
Finally! The Russian Orthodox Church has announced a day of commemoration “for all Orthodox Christians who suffered at the hands of the godless Soviet authorities”.
According to sources close to the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, “the hierarchs resolved to establish October 30 as a day of special commemoration for all those who were innocently killed or imprisoned” during the years of Soviet rule.
This is significant in my estimation. For one thing, the language used –i.e. “godless Soviet authorities–is quite bold. It indicates that the Church is now mature enough to call a spade a spade. It also indicates that the political situation in the Russian Federation is anti-communist enough to not have to placate that particular ideology.
To those who have been to Russia in the recent past, this should come as no surprise as the Christian revival is clearly obvious.
And let it be said, that the Russian revival stokes the fears of many of Istanbul’s partisans. Take for example this unhinged secularist screed put out by the OCL (Orthodox Christian Laity): “Letter of June 8, 2021”, which can be accessed here. If I didn’t know any better I would have thought it was written by the late Zbigniew Brzezinski of sorrowful memory.
To be sure, we can assume a safety that chronological distance provides; by this I don’t mean freedom from reprisals per se but the passing of the last of the Soviet-compromised hierarchy.
In any event, it bespeaks maturity which is badly needed in today’s world.