Revolutionizing religion: the USSR's confessional policy during Perestroika and its effects on religious communities in the Omsk region

Abstract

The article delves into the examination of the status of religious communities in the Omsk region within the framework of Soviet state and confessional policies during the “perestroika” era. Drawing from archival materials, some of which are being introduced into scholarly discourse for the first time, the analysis focuses on the key initiatives undertaken by regional authorities between 1985 and 1991 within the context of state-confessional relations in the USSR. Throughout the mid-1980s, the USSR witnessed significant transformations in its stateconfessional dynamics. This period marked the initiation of the process to legalize the long-illegal operations of religious communities in Western Siberia. In the Omsk region, multiple Orthodox and Lutheran communities were officially registered during the 1980s. Notably, certain communities, such as the Council of Churches of Evangelical Christians-Baptists and Pentecostals, resisted legalization efforts as it contradicted their religious beliefs. A pivotal moment in the evolution of state-confessional relations was the widespread observance of the 1000th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus in 1988, which impacted the status of religious communities and their followers in various regions. This commemoration fostered a dialogue between the state and the church, leading to a resurgence of religious activities across the country. During this period, there was a notable rise in the number of registered Orthodox communities in the Omsk region, accompanied by an upsurge in spiritual life, missionary work, and social engagements.