RUSSIA’S GODLESS EASTER

Otago Witness, Issue 4032, 23 June 1931, Page 65

RUSSIA’S GODLESS EASTER

RADIO BROADCAST ON APRIL 8. Am 8. April 1931. wurde in Helsingfors die folgende Uebertragung des Leningrader Senders gehort: “ In order to prevent the celebration of the Easter (on April 12, according to the Orthodox pasealia), the Soviet authorities have decided to close the urban churches hot only in Leningrad and Moscow, but also in other cities. As to the village churches, they may be open, but the komsomoltsi (communist youth) and the godless (bezbozhniki) shall gather at the churches and profit or the occasion for making their propaganda, arranging processions and collective performances. “ As to the schools, they must work on the Easter days obligatorily all over the U.S.S.R. and the pupils and students may not stay home. “It is possible that hot all workmen will come to the factories, but with those absent we will make ourselves square afterwards.” Among daily news it was added that the Catholic Academy at Leningrad is now closed due to the prayers for the Pope. The Catholic churches may not either ring their bells. A choir, where many children’s voices were heard, sang an atheist song, telling that they have seen thousands of gods of gold and silver, and brass and wood and stone, but wonder why they all have their resurrection in the spring.—Scots Observer.