The Problem of Identity of Soviet Citizens — Orthodox Believers in Sermons of St. Luke (Voino-Yasenetsky)

Abstract

The article continues the study of the topic of socio-political statements of the world-famous confessor, archpastor and surgeon St. Luke (Voino-Yasenetsky). This publication covers his preaching activities in the 1940s — 1950s. The sermons of the saint are studied from the perspective of the problem of the dual identity of believing Soviet citizens. The sermons of the saint contain the following main motives: denunciation of nazi Germany, the capitalist countries of Europe and America in their confrontation with the Soviet Union, praise of the foreign policy and internal structure of the Soviet state is often found both in comparison with modern states and with pre-revolutionary Russia. Also, his appeals to the flock contain hidden and even explicit criticism of certain aspects of the life of the Soviet Union. The sermons of the saint give a direct answer to the question posed in this and previous articles about the dual identity of Orthodox Soviet people. The saint explicitly expresses the traditional Orthodox doctrine that a Christian must first of all think of himself as a citizen of the Heavenly Kingdom and only secondarily as a citizen of the earthly kingdom.