The Great Patriotic War 1941–45

Abstract

When Nazi Germany turned on the Soviet Union in June 1941 and launched what was, for Stalin, a surprise invasion, religious leaders immediately leapt to the defence of the Soviet ‘fatherland’, issuing patriotic appeals to the people. As the German forces moved deeper and deeper into Soviet territory and the very existence of the Soviet Union seemed threatened, Stalin turned to all forces which could help him win the war, including religious groups. He ordered a halt to the anti-religious campaign. There was a let-up in atheist propaganda (the League of Militant Godless was closed down in 1941 and atheist publications stopped) and churches reopened in Soviet-held territory. The remnants of the government-inspired Living Church fizzled out.