Freedom of Church and Freedom of Society: Historical Experience and Actual Problem in Today’s Russia

Abstract

The article deals with the interrelation between the freedom of the church and the freedom of the society in Russian history and in the contemporary period. The article describes the main precedents of how the church strived for attaining independence from the state and stood up for the freedom of speech and the freedom of worship in society. The Renovationist schism in the 1920s is highlighted as a culminating point of contradiction in the church-state relationship. The author concludes that in Russia any kind of political or social freedom is impossible without spiritual freedom as well as civic society is impossible without support from the church which is free both internally and externally. But the revival of the church is a difficult task without support from society, which respects the person’s right for free spiritual choice.

Keywords

• church-state relationship
• freedom of church
• freedom of society
• the renovationist schism
• церковно-государственные отношения
• свобода церкви
• свобода совести
• свобода общества
• обновленческий раскол