How do we describe the 1917 Russian Revolution and how it affected the church.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/24613.stm

http://www.st-petersburg-life.com/st-petersburg/1917-russian-revolution

http://www.sparknotes.com/history/european/russianrev

To describe the 1917 Russian Revolution and its impact on the church, we need to understand the historical context and the events that took place during that period.

First, the 1917 Russian Revolution was a significant political and social movement that led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and the downfall of the Russian Empire. It consisted of two major phases: the February Revolution and the October Revolution.

The February Revolution occurred in March 1917, when widespread protests and strikes erupted due to the economic hardships, military failures, and discontent with the autocratic rule of the Tsar. As a result, Tsar Nicholas II was forced to abdicate, leading to the establishment of a provisional government.

The provisional government, however, failed to address the deep-rooted social and economic issues, which led to further dissatisfaction among the Russian population. This paved the way for the Bolshevik Party, led by Vladimir Lenin, to seize power in the October Revolution later that year.

The October Revolution established the Bolsheviks as the ruling party in Russia and initiated the period of communist rule. This marked a profound change in the relationship between the state and the church.

The Russian Orthodox Church had long been intertwined with the ruling elite, providing religious legitimacy to the autocratic regime of the Tsars. However, the Bolsheviks viewed religion and the Church as reactionary and counter-revolutionary, seeking to eliminate its influence.

After the October Revolution, the newly formed Soviet government implemented policies that aimed to secularize society and marginalize the role of religion. They advocated atheism, closed down monasteries and churches, confiscated church properties, and persecuted religious leaders.

Under the Soviet regime, the Russian Orthodox Church faced severe repression. Many bishops, priests, and religious activists were arrested, exiled, or executed. Churches and monasteries were transformed into secular buildings, warehouses, or museums.

The impact on the church was significant. The Russian Orthodox Church, once a powerful institution, was reduced to a marginalized and weakened state. Religious practices were forced into the underground, and the faithful faced oppression for their beliefs.

It's worth noting that in the 1930s, Joseph Stalin's regime adopted a more lenient approach known as "cultural revolution," allowing limited religious activities for strategic purposes during World War II. However, this relaxation was temporary, and religious persecution resumed after the war.

In summary, the 1917 Russian Revolution had a profound impact on the Russian Orthodox Church. It led to the marginalization, persecution, and forced secularization of the church under the Soviet regime. The church's influence and power were significantly weakened during this period.