Dear Friends,
The most recent issue of Christianity today has a good article on Christianity in Russia entitled, Looking for God in Russia: Finding Jesus in Orthodox Robes and Evangelical Jeans. I get the impression that the writer is an evangelical, and her name is Agnieszka Tennant (a Slavic-sounding first name- I am not clear if she has a Russian or Slavic heritage herself. She is a student at the University of Chicago).
In the article Agnieszka shares her experiences worshiping in canonical and non-canonical Orthodox Churches, Baptist Churches, and Charismatic Churches.
Although Agnieszka points out 2 or 3 times in the article that the Russian government seems to favor the Orthodox Church to contrast to other Christian groups, she nonetheless seems to have a favorable impression of Orthodox Christianity and writes of its continued vitality and relevance. There is a perception, probably not fair, that evangelicals are associated with the west, and so the government and some Russian people tend to discriminate against them.
I get the impression reading the article that the Charismatic Churches are the most vibrant, and have enthusiastic participation of young people, well-educated college and graduate students in their 20�s and 30�s.
She has a good story about an Orthodox Priest named Fr. Sergey who was an exorcist until forbidden by his bishops for performing them (because he is not a bishop!) . Now after having his ministry of exorcism curtailed, the priest and his wife are devoted to raising 20 foster children as well as pasturing an Orthodox Church.
She also says that evangelicals to be successful work in cooperation with the Orthodox Church, or sometimes, even within it. She underscores evangelical motifs in the current practice of some Russian Orthodoxy priests and preaching.
She says those who self identify as evangelical have the highest church attendance. I was surprised to learn that Islam is the second largest religion next to Orthodoxy, outnumbering Protestant Christians.
Agnieszka says that the hunger for God in Russia is not as strong as it was right after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Christians could easily attract new converts, and many churches sprouted up and grew quickly in that early 90�s milieu. But now, many people long for the Soviet days.
The article points out that historically KGB spies infiltrated Baptist churches as well as Orthodox Churches; and in an assertion tinged with humor states that some of these KGB people eventually became true Christians! This part of the article reminds me of the Donatist controversy in the early centuries of the Church. How do we relate to those who were treasonous to the Church after the overt persecution is over?
Overall a very good article. Be sure to pick up a copy.
