1918. The message of Patriarch Tikhon

One hundred years ago, on February 1, 1918, Patriarch Tikhon made a message addressed to the "archpastors, shepherds and all the faithful children of the Russian Orthodox Church." It said:

"The Holy Orthodox Church of Christ is now experiencing a difficult time in Russian land: persecution erected the obvious and secret enemies of this truth to the truth of Christ, and strive to destroy the work of Christ and instead of Christian love to sow the seeds of anger, hatred and fraternal battle. The commandments of Christ about love for the neighbor are forgotten and violated. terrible and brutal beatings ... And all this is done not only under the cover of night darkness, but also in the daytime light, with an unheard of insolence and merciless cruelty, without any trial and with the violation of any right and legality ...

Complete, madmen, stop your bloody reprisals. After all, the fact that you are doing, not only a cruel business, is truly a Satanic business, for which you are subject to Geena’s fire in the life of the future - the afterlife and terrible curse of the offspring in the life of the real - earthly. The authorities, given to us from God, forbid you to proceed with the secrets of Christ, anathematize you, if only you wear Christian names and although by your birth belong to the Orthodox Church. "