Repressions, Economic Pressure and Survival Strategies of the Orthodox Clergy in Kazan Diocese in the 1930s

Abstract

The article explores the conditions of life and activities of Orthodox clergy of the Kazan diocese, primarily in the city of Kazan and some Kazan suburbs, in the 1930s. Drawing upon published and archival sources, various forms of state pressure on the clergy are illustrated: “labor duties”, identifying the lishentsy (disenfranchised citizens) by Komsomol “activists”, raising tax pressure; and all other instruments with the main goal of eliminating the impact of Church institutions in society. The article further considers various ways used by the clergy for adapting to the situation of constant pressure, as well as forms of assistance to the clergy by the believers. The article assesses the effectiveness of the repressive social and economic measures of the state: it seems that the state achieved only tactical, but by no means the final goals. Even with a significant reduction in their numbers, the clergy was not squeezed out completely of the society. The remaining priests were able to adapt to the new realities and to maintain a certain influence.