Academic Periodical

The article deals with the ecclesiastical activities undertaken from 1954 to 1971 by Boris Talantov, a layman from the city of Kirov (Vyatka). Boris Talantov was the organiser and inspirer of the brotherhood of Vyatka Christians on the territory of the Kirov diocese. According to the “Regulations of the Brotherhood”, its apologetic, educational and charitable activities were aimed at gathering believers together to fight for their legitimate rights and to protect churches from closing down. Boris Talantov led a petition campaign, wrote open letters to Nikita Khrushchev and Patriarch Alexey I as well as to the editorial boards of various newspapers and magazines. He sharply criticised the position of the Moscow Patriarchate in the midst of Khrushchev’s persecution against the church. Boris Talantov also was the author of a church reform project.