Christianity in Eastern Russia
We download and listen to a variety of Christian podcasts. One of the most fascinating this past week was "The Catholic Church in Eastern Russia". The podcast was a great summary of the revival of the Church in Russia. The program starts with an overview of the demographic collapse of Russia. Then the effects of Communism on the Russian family is discussed. The plight of Russian orphans and "unheld babies" follows. The last half of the podcast is a question and answer period with calls from listeners during the original radio broadcast. Click the arrow below to launch a flash MP3 player with the podcast.
Some of the ear and mind candy includes:
- The Great Russian Far East is one and a half times the size of the continental United States.
- Every year the Russian population is 800,000 fewer than the year before. That's the equivalant of losing an urban city like San Franciso each and every year.
- The primary cause of the decline is the high death rate from alcoholism and traffic accidents. The life expectancy of a Russian is 57 for both males and females.
- Russia was the first country to legalize abortion in 1921.
- Fewer than 10% of Russian orphans have any chance of a normal life. Most orphans end up dead in their 20's from drug abuse and crime.
- If you are older than 50 in Russia, then you know nothing about religion, of any sort.
- Fewer than one half of one percent (.5%) of the population practice any religion whatsoever. The criteria for practicing is attending church or synogogue two or more times each year. Those figures includes the Russian Orthodox Church.
- About 75% of the population has been baptised into the Russian Orthodox Church. That's a dramatic increase from about 10% just 20 years ago. However, most baptised Russians were baptised without even 5 minutes of instruction in the Christian faith. Most of the newly baptised never go back to church ever again, not even for weddings or burials!
The podcast really makes one appreciate the gift of faith that has been passed down from generation to generation in the Western world. We hope you'll take time to listen to the entire podcast.
Related Posts:
Demographic Winter
Easter Food Blessing - An Ancient Polish Custom
Source: Mary Mother of God Mission Society, Vladivostok
Some of the ear and mind candy includes:
- The Great Russian Far East is one and a half times the size of the continental United States.
- Every year the Russian population is 800,000 fewer than the year before. That's the equivalant of losing an urban city like San Franciso each and every year.
- The primary cause of the decline is the high death rate from alcoholism and traffic accidents. The life expectancy of a Russian is 57 for both males and females.
- Russia was the first country to legalize abortion in 1921.
- Fewer than 10% of Russian orphans have any chance of a normal life. Most orphans end up dead in their 20's from drug abuse and crime.
- If you are older than 50 in Russia, then you know nothing about religion, of any sort.
- Fewer than one half of one percent (.5%) of the population practice any religion whatsoever. The criteria for practicing is attending church or synogogue two or more times each year. Those figures includes the Russian Orthodox Church.
- About 75% of the population has been baptised into the Russian Orthodox Church. That's a dramatic increase from about 10% just 20 years ago. However, most baptised Russians were baptised without even 5 minutes of instruction in the Christian faith. Most of the newly baptised never go back to church ever again, not even for weddings or burials!
The podcast really makes one appreciate the gift of faith that has been passed down from generation to generation in the Western world. We hope you'll take time to listen to the entire podcast.
- Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Matthew 28:19
Related Posts:
Demographic Winter
Easter Food Blessing - An Ancient Polish Custom
Source: Mary Mother of God Mission Society, Vladivostok
Labels: Catholic, Catholicism, Demographics, Eastern Orthodox, Russia
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