Russian Orthodoxy

I am nowhere near being an authority on the state of Orthodoxy in Russia, but I thought it about time to share my thoughts--meager as they might be (in other words, be warned).

After my visit to Russia in 2006, I came back summarizing the religious state in this country by basically saying that in it existed two worlds. There exists the Western world, by which I mean the one that loves materialism, liberality, frivolity, and considers religion a "thing of the past". I was under the impression that this world was being forced upon Russia by European and American thought and philosophy, and that "Religious Russia" didn't want it. The other world--the Religious Russia, which I called "Orthodox Russia" was decidedly against the "Western Russia". They continued much as they had before the Soviet Times in their Liturgy, their conservative ideals, and their simplicity until the Soviet interruption.

My summary of Russia's religious state also said that "where Russia was Orthodox, it was extremely so" (i.e. churches, monasteries, etc.). Rules of conduct and belief were not very flexible, as was evident by the ever-ready babushkie waiting to correct me. However, the Western Russia was like walking into any European country.

I don't really know how much my summary has changed, although I know it has. I still see Russia as two worlds colliding with one another, both fighting for superiority in the public eye. I still see that a great many Russians are only nominally Orthodox. Of course, this might only be what I see and not what is really happening.

I've also been introduced to the fact that as inflexible and staunch as the Church might seem, it really is being "reborn". When Russians dive into something, they dive into it wholeheartedly. Orthodoxy is obviously not something that could be taken from them. Despite the Soviet interruption, their Faith has not been uprooted. Perhaps it's safe to say it's been savagely trimmed? In 1991, when Communism collapsed, churches reopened, and people lined up to be baptized. From what I am told, many of them had only a vague idea of what they were signing up for. The result has been this rebirth of an old Orthodox heart. In short, many of the current believers themselves are converts. Russia, en mass, is a country of converts. They are all relearning about their Faith, and relearning how to incorporate it into their lives. They are re-educating. But then again, aren't we all?

I also previously thought that beliefs Communism and Orthodoxy could exist together. I had read an account of an Orthodox Christian who made a strong case for this. Let me say that the Soviets/Communists wronged the Orthodox Church and Russia in many, many, many ways--more than they realized. The foremost of these being the horrendous murder of Tsar Nicholas II and his family, and with them the murder of all that Russia had previously stood for. Do I now currently think that Communism and Orthodoxy can co-exist? I have no idea. I think someone can actively hope for the best for society and be religious. I think that's what this person I read about might have been trying to do.

These are all of my thoughts right now. I'm sure the longer I live here the more they'll change. Or maybe not.

The Most Difficult Things...

The most difficult thing about being away from the people I love is not being able to physically be there for them when bad things happen. Anyone who knows me knows that I am the "mother hen" type that cries as at the drop of a hat. It's impossible for me to make it through movies like Homeward Bound without hiding my face in my pillow and ignoring half of the film. I just want to hug whoever is in pain with a great, big, far-too-long-lasting hug.

When dear friends painfully part ways, when there are scary hospital visits and surgeries, when there are people who pass away--it hurts to not be there with them. It makes me question why I am here doing what I am doing in Moscow. It makes me wonder what kind of person these experiences will make me become in the future. No matter what concerns I have, I DO know that my being in Moscow is for a purpose, and that God fixed every step of the way--pretty much, I'm not allowed to question myself on this.

If there is one thing I have definitely learned, it is that regardless of my presence, the only affect it is possible for me to have on anyone comes from God, and He really doesn't need me to be there to be of any assistance. I know, I know. This is so cliche and obvious, but it's always those things I have to relearn. They're never fun the millionth time around just like they weren't the second time around.

Anyhow, if you're one of those people that I seemingly have shunned, please forgive me and know that you are always in my thoughts and prayers.

I'm going to stop before this becomes anymore dramatic and mushy. Ick.