|
0 members (),
190
guests, and
19
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Forums26
Topics35,219
Posts415,295
Members5,881
| |
Most Online3,380
Dec 29th, 2019
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,586 Likes: 1
Member
|
OP
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,586 Likes: 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,214
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,214 |
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,564
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,564 |
That is edifying and joyful!
Fr. Serge
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 943
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 943 |
That is a very nice story! I like to hear things like that.
I remember reading somewhere a long time ago that Mr. Gorbachev had an icon behind a secular picture on the wall of his home during the time of communism. I don't know if it's true or not...
The fact communism rose and fell is a sign that communism is evil supernatural work of the devil. I mean, NO one on Earth at the RIGHT mind would allow such country like Russia that's so devoted to G-d since 988 A.D. to fall so quickly into darkness and have it rise out of it so quickly as if it was "exorcized."
Interesting...
SPDundas
Deaf Byzantine
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,964
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,964 |
Glory to Jesus Christ !!!!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,564
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,564 |
Hiding an icon behind a secular picture hanging on one's wall was a common subterfuge in the USSR and similar places. Whether the Gorbachov menage was so equipped, I have no way of knowing.
Fr. Serge
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,214
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,214 |
As I have read, the peasant huts would have had icon coves built into their walls. These were eventually filled in by images of Lenin and Stalin; if they had real icons behind those images, they must have known how much of a risk that is.
The state had a control on "religious propaganda", though they proclaimed to have freedom of religion when the issue was pressed by FDR.
Reflecting more on Gorbachev, I wonder how much of a role his family's religious background had on his political career. It would be interesting if his sense of justice and freedom was shaped by Christianity.
Terry
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,678
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,678 |
I don't know if this really belongs in East and West, but I put it hear because of Mr. Gorbachev's deep devotion to a Western saint, St. Francis of Assisi. I would normally assume Mr. Gorbachev is Russian Orthodox (the article says he was baptized as such as a baby), but the article makes it sound more like he is Catholic. Anyway, here's the story: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/03/19/wgorbachev119.xmlAlexis
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,678
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,678 |
Whoops, didn't see this thread, there we go!
Alexis
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,528
Grateful Member
|
|
Grateful Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,528 |
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,029 Likes: 2
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,029 Likes: 2 |
The state had a control on "religious propaganda", though they proclaimed to have freedom of religion when the issue was pressed by FDR. Oh, the *written* guarantees in the Soviet constitution were spectacular. Freedom of religion, and the press. Even more so than here--the US speech freedoms are rights not to be silenced by the government, while the Soviet version guaranteed material support in printing. Actually *getting* such was another story. I remember reading some of their propaganda pamphlets at a very young age (10?), and even thenn, getting a good laugh out of them. hawk
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 501
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 501 |
Here is an update on the story: http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080324/31660_Gorbachev_Dispels_'Closet_Ch\ristian'_Rumors%3B_Says_He_is_Atheist.htm
Gorbachev Dispels 'Closet Christian' Rumors; Says He is Atheist
By Ethan Cole
Christian Post Reporter
Mon, Mar. 24 2008 05:21 PM ET
Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev made clear
this past weekend that he is an atheist after
European news agencies last week claimed that he
had confirmed his Christian faith during a visit
to the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi in Italy.
Gorbachev, the last communist leader of the
Soviet Union, confronted speculations that he had
been a closeted Christian during an interview
with the Russian news agency Interfax.
"Over the last few days some media have been
disseminating fantasies � I can't use any other
word � about my secret Catholicism, citing my
visit to the Sacro Convento friary, where the
remains of St. Francis of Assisi lie," Gorbachev
said, according to an Interfax article posted Friday.
"To sum up and avoid any misunderstandings, let
me say that I have been and remain an atheist,� he stated.
Rumors for decades had circulated that Gorbachev
was a Christian after he moved to loosen
restrictions on religious worship and expressed
to a party congress a year before the communist
state dissolved that �spiritual rebirth is as
essential to society as oxygen,� according to the Chicago Tribune.
As a result, media agencies had jumped to
conclusions when Gorbachev visited St. Francis�
tomb last Wednesday and was seen kneeling for
half an hour in silence at the tomb.
But Gorbachev, who was baptized Russian Orthodox
as a child, explained that his visit to the tomb
was as a tourist and not a pilgrim. He
acknowledged the important role religion plays in
society and said he looks forward to visiting
Orthodox churches in Russia, Catholic and
Protestant churches in the United States and
Europe, synagogues in Israel and mosques in the
Arab world, according to Interfax.
"But all these years, it has never occurred to
anyone to list me among followers of any faith on that basis," Gorbachev noted.
Back in Russia, the Russian Orthodox Church seemed unimpressed with Gorbachev�s visit to St. Francis� tomb.
"In Italy, he spoke in emotional terms, rather than in terms of faith," a spokesman for the Russian Orthodox patriarch Alexei II told the Russian media.
"He is still on his way to Christianity. If he arrives, we will welcome him."
Christians make up only about 17 to 22 percent of
Russia�s population, according to the CIA World Factbook.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,959
Moderator Member
|
|
Moderator Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,959 |
This is so sad. He must be searching and must indeed have respect for the Christian faith, (lest we forget that he met with Pope JPII on a few occasions when he was the Soviet leader), but to officially claim that one is an atheist is the sin against the Holy Spirit. This is very disappointing and I pray that he will not die before finding Christ.
Let us pray that God will touch him in such a way that his search will be over.
Lord have mercy and save Your servant, Mikhail...
Alice
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,528
Grateful Member
|
|
Grateful Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,528 |
This is so sad.
...
Let us pray that God will touch him in such a way that his search will be over.
...
Lord have mercy and save Your servant, Mikhail. Amen !
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 91
Member
|
|
Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 91 |
I didn't put much cred in the original story, anyway. Gorbachev is one of the founders of the "United Religions Initiative" in the late 90s and has been doing a great deal of work in the far left, "Religion is the root of all evil" movement.
|
|
|
|
|
