Following the devastation of World War II, Ukraine, a region of the Soviet Union, faced immense challenges. The hardships endured during the Nazi occupation affected not only the daily lives of its Orthodox population but also their moral and spiritual resilience. Nazi forces, in an attempt to garner support from those disillusioned with Soviet rule, appeared to champion the revival of religious life by permitting the opening of over 5,000 churches, many of which had been closed under Soviet rule. However, this “support” came with hidden costs, as the true damage inflicted by the Nazis on the Republic's religious and cultural heritage has been well-documented.
This article seeks to explore what happened to the religious revival that began during the occupation and how spiritual life resumed after Ukraine was liberated and the Soviet government reestablished control. A detailed study of archival documents provides valuable insights into this critical period of recovery.
Changing Relations Between the Soviet State and the Orthodox Church
From 1941 to 1944, the relationship between the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and the Soviet government underwent significant transformation. Open hostility gave way to a reluctant recognition of the Church's contributions to the war effort against the Nazis. This newfound cooperation led to the establishment of the Council for Russian Orthodox Church Affairs (referred to as "the Council"), headed by Georgy Karpov. This Council played a vital role in managing Church-state relations, and its delegates were appointed to oversee religious matters in liberated territories, including Ukraine.
Correspondence between regional officials in Ukraine and the central Council reveals a nuanced picture. There was no overt hostility toward clergy or believers in the post-war period, and it becomes clear that the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic experienced one of the most significant spiritual revivals in the Soviet Union during this time.
No Repeat Confiscations: The Fate of Churches After Liberation
Official statistics indicate that over 800 churches, reopened during the occupation, were closed again in the year following liberation. By 1945, the number of functioning churches in Ukraine had dropped from 6,232 to 5,400. However, contrary to what might be expected, archival documents show that regional Council officials received no direct orders to confiscate church properties or prevent religious activities. In many cases, even if a building originally served a secular purpose, it was returned to the local religious community.
Interestingly, there were instances where the Council actively blocked attempts by overzealous local authorities to reclaim church properties. One report from the Sumska region illustrates this:
“In 1937, the church in the village of P. Krynytsia was closed and converted into a club. In 1945, after the church was returned to the faithful, the local authorities sought to confiscate it once more. However, no official decision was made, and the church continued to function as a place of worship.”
Similar cases occurred in the Kherson region, where local officials attempted to unlawfully close churches, only to be overruled by higher authorities. For instance, a church in Ivanivka faced a demand for rent payments for using a building repurposed during the occupation. When the congregation refused, the local authorities closed the church, locking its doors. However, these actions were reversed after intervention from the regional Council.
A Rising Spiritual Tide: Increased Religious Activity Post-War
Reports from officials underscore the increase in religious activity following Ukraine’s liberation. According to the 1946 report from the Sumska region, there was a noticeable rise in church attendance and clergy activity:
“Believers feel more secure now than they did two years ago. Many priests are increasingly active, and there is significant interest in building new prayer houses. In one case, an actor from Romen performed at a local church, significantly increasing attendance.”
The report also highlights a surge in religious ceremonies such as baptisms, marriages, and funerals. In some regions, over half of all newborns were baptized, and more than 50% of funerals followed Orthodox traditions. Even in small villages, churches were regularly filled with congregants, especially during major holidays.
This revival was particularly evident among young people. The report from Kherson emphasized:
“There has been no decrease in church attendance. In fact, in both rural and urban areas, we see an increase in worshippers, especially during major holidays. Many of these new attendees are young people returning from the Red Army.”
In one noteworthy case from the Tsuriupynsk region, young women who had been sent to forced labor camps in Germany returned not only as churchgoers but also as active participants in their local religious communities. One former Komsomol member even resumed church attendance despite maintaining her party membership.
The Soviet Church-State Dynamic: A Complex Landscape
Throughout Ukraine, regional reports to the Council documented a consistent rise in religious fervor. From the Chernihiv region to Kherson, church attendance surged, particularly among youth. As young men and women returned from the frontlines or Nazi labor camps, they reconnected with their faith, bringing renewed energy to local congregations.
While these developments were often seen as positive, the relationship between the Soviet government and the Church remained complex. Despite allowing religious practices to continue, the state maintained strict control over religious institutions. For example, if local authorities decided to repurpose a church building, they were required to provide an alternative space for worship.
The archives make clear that post-war Ukraine saw a vibrant religious revival, as people sought solace in faith after the trauma of war. This religious resurgence, especially among the youth, contributed significantly to the spiritual and cultural reconstruction of the country.
The first year after World War II was a pivotal moment in Ukraine’s religious history. The Soviet state’s newfound cooperation with the Russian Orthodox Church allowed for a cautious but significant revival of religious life in the region. As the country recovered from the occupation, faith became a source of comfort and strength for many, particularly the younger generation who had experienced the horrors of war firsthand.
This article is part of a broader series exploring the role of the Church in post-war Ukraine and its contributions to rebuilding the nation.