Memorandum by G.G. Karpov on Stalin's Reception of the Hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church, September 4, 1943

Source: Tom 18

Memorandum by G.G. Karpov on the Reception by Comrade Stalin of the Metropolitan Sergius, the Metropolitan Alexius, and the Metropolitan Nikolai on September 4, 1943

On September 4, 1943, at 0:40 a.m., Comrade Stalin received at the Kremlin the Metropolitan Sergius (Stragorodsky), the Metropolitan Alexius (Simansky), and the Metropolitan Nikolai (Yarushevich). Present at the meeting were Comrade V.M. Molotov and the author of this memorandum — Colonel G.G. Karpov.

Comrade Stalin informed the hierarchs that the government had a favorable view of church activity and did not intend any interference in the internal affairs of the Church.

Comrade Stalin asked about the state of the Church's affairs, about its needs, and about the difficulties encountered by the clergy.

Metropolitan Sergius stated that the most essential need was the convening of a Council of Bishops for the election of a Patriarch. Comrade Stalin expressed his agreement. When Metropolitan Sergius said that the Church lacked the means for convening the Council and that this would require time for preparation, Comrade Stalin asked: "And what if we give you some assistance? Could it then be organized more quickly — in three or four days?"

On the question of opening theological educational institutions, Comrade Stalin declared that the government would have no objections.

Metropolitan Sergius also raised the question of the opening of churches in regions where they had been closed. Comrade Stalin replied that there should be no obstacles in this regard.

On the question of clergy who had been repressed and were in camps and exile, Comrade Stalin said that the question would be examined and resolved in each individual case.

The meeting was conducted in a warm and cordial atmosphere and continued until approximately 2 a.m. At the conclusion of the meeting, Metropolitan Sergius, deeply moved, thanked Comrade Stalin for his attention to the needs of the Church.

Note

G.G. Karpov (1898-1967) was appointed the first Chairman of the Council for Russian Orthodox Church Affairs under the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR immediately after this meeting. The Council of Bishops was indeed convened within four days — on September 8, 1943 — at which Metropolitan Sergius was unanimously elected Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.