The Russian Church
The Archbishop of York's visit to the Metropolitan of Moscow has more than one point of interest. Since it was arranged, the Metropolitan of Moscow has, with the Soviet Government's approval, been elected Patriarch of the Russian Church, a position whose revival goes along with important changes. The sharp antagonism between the Church and the Government in Russia has for some time past been weakening. On the side of the Church there are still irreconcilables ; but a large proportion of the clergy have rallied to the cause of the country, and given the Government and the army very valuable help. Stalin, on his side, is obviously concerned to base Soviet rule on broader and more national founda- tions than'those on which it originally rested. At such a time the reciproCal sympathy and support of the Anglican and Russian Churches have a value for both parties, and the anti-Fascist senti- ments in the Archbishop's greeting denote a real community between them on the moral point. On the theological side an important school of thought within the Anglican Church has always regarded reunion with the Orthodox Eastern Church as something to be actively sought after. In 5920 there was an initiative in that direction by the Patriarchate of Constantinople, when a delega- tion from it visited the Lambeth Conference ; and in 1923 the Archbishop of Canterbury (Dr. Randall Davidson) announced that the Holy Synod of Constantinople had decided in favour of the validity of Anglican Orders. So long, however, as the Russian part of the Eastern Church was eclipsed, the whole life of that church suffered a heavy reduction. Now there is a prospect of its assuming its old standing.
