The Quarterly Journal of St. Philaret’s Institute

The article analyzes the problem of the relationship between anti-Bolshevik governments and the episcopate of the Orthodox Church during the entire period of the Civil War in Russia. The main objective of the article is to determine the common and distinctive features in these relationships. The article examines the most prominent figures among the Orthodox episcopate. The article examines the activities of some bishops throughout Russia during the Civil War: in Siberia, in the South of Russia, in Crimea, in the Far East, in the North and North-West of Russia. It was established that some bishops used the Civil War, among other things, as a kind of “springboard” for their own advancement. In this case, a number of bishops participated largely in the political campaigns of opponents of the Bolsheviks, campaigning for white leaders, including participating in intrigues. Other bishops also participated in white propaganda and agitation, but largely supported the anti-Bolshevik forces ideologically, seeing the danger of restoring Soviet power. Finally, the third group of the episcopate consists of those archbishops who were unwitting witnesses to the Civil war. This category of bishops participated to a much lesser extent in anti-Bolshevik propaganda. The fate of bishops after the end of the Civil War and the establishment of Soviet power are examined separately. The article is based on archival material and memories of direct participants and witnesses of the Civil War.