Apocalypse in the land of Soviets: "holy letters" and the calls for repentance

Abstract

Three documents dwelling upon folk religion in provincial Russia are published and commented upon. These were found in a case file with data on ideological work in the Kirov region in 1972. The first document is a letter to the editorial board of the regional party newspaper. The author naively asks where he can get the Gospel. He wants to study the Apocalypse of St. John the Apostle, because John, according to the author, has predicted a “catastrophic collapse of the world capitalist system”. The second document is a copy of an anonymous leaflet compiled of cut out printed letters. It is presumed to be read with the help of a mirror. The authorities are criticized in the leaflet, the Russian people are called to repentance and encouraged to read the Apocalypse. The leaflet was to be distributed like a “holy letter”. The third document is an application to the chairman of an executive committee from a woman worried about the heat and fires in the summer of 1972. She suggested to gather clergy and perform a Cross Procession. Weather anomalies and social discontent caused apocalyptic forebodings. These forebodings manifested via spreading of rumors and “holy letters”.