Thread: Religion in Russia and the ex-Soviet countries

Interesting comments on an interesting topic...

Particularly in Europe, it is a massive problem what to do with all old churches that few people visit, that are very expensive to keep running.
In Sweden it's done off taxes but more and more people are beginning to object to that. In the UK, the churches are simply locked up, or used as meeting rooms, concerts or even, in some cases for new flats - I.e. people live in them. The Church of England, simply sells the buildings to whoever wants to buy them.

Meanwhile in Russia new churches are being built. It really boggles belief.
As a Christian I think it's great though!

Interesting comments on who goes to church in Russia, and why. And on the stories about people keeping their faith during the Soviet years - somebody shared a very touching story about that here, getting baptized in a lake in the forest. That's really the real deal! Inspiring.

About new churches - I live in a rather small town - 90000 inhabitants. We have 3 churches. On Sundays they are full. On great holidays it is difficult to enter (and in Russian churches there are no sitting places!). On Epiphany we have a very long queue just to take some water - one would spend more than an hour. So we really need another church, as the town is growing up fast.
I never heard of baptizing in the forests, but I was baptized at somebody's home in a bath - not because of top secrecy, I suppose, but it was easier so. And my mother (atheist, of course!) asked me not to show the cross to anyone - so I tied it to my clothes inside. But it was on the edge of times.