Evangelical Christians Baptists of Kalmykia During the Great Patriotic War and the Postwar Period (1941-1956)

Abstract

The article deals with the religious policy of the Soviet state in respect of the Baptist organizations of Kalmykia during the Great Patriotic War and post-war periods. The war contributed to the rise of religious sentiments among the Christian population of Kalmykia and the mitigation of religious repressive policy in the Soviet Union. On the occupied territories of Kalmykia, German authorities allowed free religious practice in order to gain sympathy of believers and bring them to their side. As a result, Baptists resumed their legal activities in Elista and in a few other settlements. After the liberation of Kalmykia from German occupation, the Soviet authorities registered the Baptist organization in Elista, but it did not happen in other communities. Most Baptists did not want to register their groups and operated illegally. The authorities were not interested in restoration of Baptist organizations and recommended the local officials to use various pretexts to prevent their registration. Except Elista, Baptists from other settlements held their prayer meetings and other religious events secretly. For their part the administration and the police took measures to prevent illegal activities of Baptist groups. The archival documents show that in 1941-1956 the Baptists of Kalmykia did not make any efforts to expand their activities and to involve new members. For this reason, the number of members of the Baptist communities gradually decreased in the post-war period.