Spiritual and Sociocultural Service of the Figures of the Russian Orthodox Church in the XX — Beginning of the XXI Century: from Repressions to Revival
This article is devoted to the characteristic and analysis of the problem of spiritual and sociocultural ministry of the leaders of the Russian Orthodox Church in crucial periods of the 20th and early 21st centuries. Reflects the consolidating, mobilizing mission of the Church in the national liberation struggle during the Great Patriotic War. Against the background of anti-religious repression of the post-October period in this difficult period of national history, the Russian Orthodox Church, on behalf of its archpastors, appealed to the patriotic feelings of power and the population of the country, provided spiritual and material support. The article focuses on the study of aspects of the general situation and the social and cultural service of the monasteries - the most important centers of spiritual life and religious and cultural education - in the middle and second half of the twentieth century, which in the postwar period faced a political campaign to mass closure of the monasteries. The fate of the devotees and the lives of the Russian saints, who, in the face of opposition to the repressive regime, continued to serve, accomplished Christian exploits and made their invaluable contribution to the preservation and further development of the spiritual and cultural life of Russia, are described. Article material consists of two parts, the first of which is presented in this publication.