Russian Orthodox Church

History of the Soviet Union under Lenin and Stalin

(16) Lenin's Mausoleum as a Temple of Lenin's Death and Still Living

Lenin himself may not have imagined that after his death, his body would be embalmed, preserved semi-permanently, and venerated. Lenin's family also wanted him to be buried in a tomb after his death.

But his body was crucial to the Soviet Union's leadership. The people who took notice of this, overcoming the opposition of his family, would make Lenin into the very immortal god that he was.

The preservation and "permanent" veneration of Lenin's body sounds very religious. In the atheistic Soviet Union, this was a paradoxical form of worship.

Lenin is dead, but he lives on in Russia. The existence of Lenin's Mausoleum is connected to Russia in a much deeper way than we can imagine. This is a very important issue for the study of religion, and even for the study of human beings themselves.
History of the Soviet Union under Lenin and Stalin

(15) Lenin and the Russian Orthodox Church: The harsh reality of the Soviet government's suppression of the church

No one should be trying to protect the church now that peasant discontent is at its maximum and starvation is at its height."

Lenin waited until it was now or never to destroy the church, and finally took action.

This was a policy typical of Lenin's thoroughgoing strategy for seizing power.

This led to the thorough suppression of the Russian Orthodox Church and its harsh fate during the long years of Soviet power.

This article looks at how Lenin suppressed the Church.
Russia at the End of the Czarist EraRussian History and Culture and Dostoevsky

Henri Troyer, "Russia at the End of the Empire" - To understand Russian society after the death of Dostoevsky

The book is a novelistic introduction to society at the end of the Russian Empire in 1903.

The protagonist is a young Frenchman, Jean Roussel. He is suddenly inspired to travel to Russia. We, the readers, will witness Russian society of the time through the fresh eyes of a foreigner just like him.

The book introduces the religious situation, especially the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as various events such as the workers working in poor conditions, the inner workings of the army, and the life of the peasants.

It is a very useful book to learn what Russian society was like at that time. Moreover, it is an easy-to-read novel.
History of the Soviet Union under Lenin and Stalin

The Soviet Union and Dostoevsky - Why I Study the Soviet Union - Future Blog Updates

Dostoevsky predicted the coming totalitarian misery in "Evil Spirits" and "The Brothers Karamazov."

Is literature powerless in the face of overwhelming power? Is thought meaningless in front of a gun?

I still have to learn the history of the Soviet Union as well. I felt that I could not pass this place by. That is why I also tried to learn about the world after Dostoevsky's death.
Masterpieces by the great Russian writer Chekhov

Chekhov's "The Monk" Synopsis and Comments - Happy Childhood Memories - A moving story about the reunion and bereavement of a monk and his mother.

This is a short story of about 20 pages, but it is unintentionally poignant. The scene where the mother calls out to her son at the end of the story makes me cry no matter how many times I read it.

This work was written in the last years of Chekhov's life.

I believe that Chekhov himself was prepared to not live much longer due to tuberculosis. I felt that the fact that this work was written at such a time is also very significant in understanding Chekhov.

I also recommend this work. It is one of Chekhov's most moving works.
The Viewer and the SeekerDostoevskyism

Seiro Sato, "The Viewer and the Seeker: Turgenev and Dostoevsky" A masterpiece that allows you to learn the characteristics of both in one book! Compare and understand their individuality!

It is still easy to compare them. In particular, Turgenev and Dostoevsky are two men with diametrically opposed lives, temperaments, and literary styles.

The bigger the difference, the clearer what we can see.

Reading this work, it is easy to see why Dostoevsky wrote such chaotic and extreme stories and why Turgenev wrote orderly and artistic stories.
father and child (son)Turgenev, the great Russian writer

Turgenev's "Father and Son" Synopsis and Comments - A masterpiece that realistically depicts the disconnect between generations! Too intense!

Once Turgenev created a nihilist named Bazarov, such a person has since been called a "Bazarovian person" or "nihilist" in the real world.

This influence is tremendous.

I felt that Turgenev's abilities as an observer and artist were outstanding in pulling this off.

Father and Son is an easy read and highly recommended. We encourage you to pick up a copy.
hingleyRussian History and Culture and Dostoevsky

R. Hingley, Writers and Society in Nineteenth-Century Russia - A classic book covering the little-known connections between Russian society and its literary figures.

Why does Dostoevsky and other Russian literature strike us so?

It was in their seriousness about life.

So states author Hingley.

The book explains the connection between 19th century Russian society and its culture and its writers.

Nineteenth-century Russia is often mentioned in literary treatises and philosophy lectures, but its social conditions and cultural aspects are not often discussed. In that sense, this book provides a very interesting perspective.
McCarter.Russian History and Culture and Dostoevsky

R. McCarter, "Great Architecture is 90% Experience" - A recommended guide to understanding the meaning behind buildings.

This book teaches us that architecture is not only about the exterior, but it is the experience felt in the interior space that moves people.

There is a feeling that cannot be understood unless one actually goes to the place, rather than just seeing it in pictures or videos.

That is why it is so meaningful to go there and experience it firsthand.

I was reminded of this when I read this book.