The Perm Bishops’ Ministry in the Era of the «Brezhnevian Stagnation» (1973–1984)

Abstract

The article is devoted to the activities of Bishop Victorin (Belyaev), Archbishop Nikolai (Bychkovsky), Bishop Ilian (Vostryakov) and Archbishop Nikon (Fomichev) at the Perm see from 1973 to 1984. On the basis of archival materials, it has been established that the Perm bishops faced a number of difficulties in their ministry connected with the interference of Soviet offi­cials in the Church life. The author of the article has shown that, despite the advanced age of the bishops, they competently managed diocesan life, regularly performed divine services, preached, and sought conscientious service from the subordinate clergy. In their relations with the author­ities, the Perm bishops took different positions, and in most cases, they tried to maintain calm and businesslike relations with the commissioner of the Council for Religious Affairs. However, the authorities’ failure to comply with the Soviet legislation on religion caused fair criticism on behalf of the Perm episcopate. The diocesan administrators defended the interests of the faith­ful and were not afraid of aggravating relations with the authorities. The author of the article concludes that the activities of the episcopate caused a contradictory reaction from the clergy and believers, some of them supporting their bishops, while others seeking their replacement.