THE CHURCH IN RUSSIA

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23744, 16 September 1942, Page 5

THE CHURCH IN RUSSIA

FASCIST “CRUSADERS” OPPOSED (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 14. The Moscow Patriarchate has published an anthology of essays, documents, and photographs regarding the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church during the war, and the sufferings of congregations at the hand of the invaders. The Acting-Patriarch Sergei said; ‘‘This is primarily an answer to Fascist pretentions that they are undertaking a ‘crusade’ for the liberation of the Russian and Orthodox Church. The attitude of the church to the Fascist ‘crusaders’ is not ambiguous. The ‘crusaders,’ drenched with Russian blood, have defiled sacred possessions, destroyed monuments, and tortured the people. “The Orthodox Church could not accept benefits from the hands of such an enemy. It is clear that the Church, once and for all, must associate itself with the care of its whole congregation. and seek to save its children.” The anthology includes the ActingPatriarch's call to Russian Christians to defend Russia, as ■well as prayers for the Red Army’s success. It also describes the first wav-time Easter, when Moscow permitted the faithful to crowd the churches of the capital.