Memorandum from the Chairmen of the Council for the Affairs of the Russian Orthodox Church and of the Council for Religious Cults under the USSR Council of Ministers G.G. Karpov and I.V. Polyansky to the USSR Council of Ministers
No. 2-110 of February 5, 1955
Secret
Since 1948, no churches, Roman Catholic churches, mosques, Lutheran churches, synagogues, or prayer houses have been opened on the territory of the USSR, and all petitions from groups of believers to that effect have been rejected.
Recently, there has been an increase in the number of applications and complaints from believers concerning the opening of churches and other prayer buildings to the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the Council of Ministers of the USSR, the Central Committee of the CPSU, and other bodies, but these likewise do not receive favorable resolution.
All this provokes dissatisfaction among the petitioners and repeated complaints, and also creates an unfavorable impression on the leaders of religious associations, who in a number of cases support such applications.
The Councils recognize that at present, of course, there can be no question of the mass opening of churches and other prayer buildings, and that this issue must be strictly regulated by the Councils, but individual petitions in cases where there is a genuine need, in the opinion of the Councils, should be granted, since the absolute refusals that have caused the believers’ dissatisfaction over the course of 6 years are politically harmful going forward.
The Councils deem it expedient to change the procedure for considering petitions to open churches and other prayer buildings, under which decisions to open them are approved by the Council of Ministers of the USSR, and to grant the Councils of Ministers of the Union Republics the right, in agreement with the Council for the Affairs of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Council for the Affairs of Religious Cults under the Council of Ministers of the USSR, to make final decisions on petitions from groups of believers to open churches, Roman Catholic churches, mosques, Lutheran churches, synagogues, and prayer houses.
Furthermore, in a number of places in the USSR church services have been conducted for a long time in churches and other prayer buildings that were opened by groups of believers without registration and that are attended and supported by a significant number of believers.
The Councils would consider it necessary to grant the right to register de facto functioning but not formally registered religious societies that have churches and other prayer buildings.
Submitting herewith:
a) a reference note on petitions from groups of believers of the Russian Orthodox Church for the opening of churches and prayer buildings,
b) a reference note on petitions from groups of believers of religious cults for the opening of prayer buildings,
c) a draft Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the USSR “On Changing the Procedure for the Opening of Churches, Roman Catholic Churches, Mosques, Lutheran Churches, Synagogues, and Prayer Houses,” we request that this issue be considered.
Appendix: in accordance with the text, on 7 pages (1).
Chairman of the Council
for the Affairs of the Russian Orthodox Church
under the USSR CM G. G. Karpov
Chairman of the Council
for the Affairs of Religious Cults
under the USSR CM I. V. Polyansky
GA RF. F. R.-6991. Op. 3. D. 113. L. 110-111. Typewritten copy.
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