The Restitution of Church Buildings in Leningrad Diocese in Postwar Decade: an Analysis of Believers' Petitions

Abstract

The paper deals with the reopening of Russian Orthodox churches after the changes of religious policy in post-war Leningrad diocese. The author draws upon the petitions written by the believers and submitted to various state agencies where they provided arguments for the re-introduction of liturgical services and parish life. The data is taken from the material in various local and central archives.