Russian Orthodox Church Slammed For Stalin Calendar

Radio Free Europe ^ | 01/08/2014 | Claire Bigg

[aimhigh]

A calendar published by the Russian Orthodox Church in honor of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin has sparked indignation from bloggers. The 2014 calendar is advertised "an excellent gift for veterans and history buffs."

The Russian Orthodox Church is under fire for publishing a calendar devoted to Soviet dictator Josef Stalin. Pictures from the 2014 calendar have been making the rounds on the Internet, sparking a barrage of criticism and prompting a lively discussion on the Moscow Patriarchate's troubled ties with Stalin.

The calendar, published by the printing house of the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius Monastery in Moscow, presents photos and biographical information documenting Stalin's evolution from a young seminary student in his native Georgia to the gray-haired Soviet leader.

[aimhigh]

In the comments that follow the article, people are saying, "This was printed by a printing agency that belongs to Orthodox church, but ordered by a completely unrelated publishing house."

It's sad what some churches do for money.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

It would fit right in at the current White House and the Hillary campaign.

Man, I hope this doesn't give anyone some snarky ideas...

[henkster]

That would be the same Stalin who closed churches, used them to store grain, and murdered priests, and blew up the beautiful Church of Christ the Savior.

Well, I guess he did attend seminary for a while.

[Alex Murphy]

In the comments that follow the article, people are saying, "This was printed by a printing agency that belongs to Orthodox church, but ordered by a completely unrelated publishing house."

PFL

[Opinionated Blowhard]

Stalin had a complex relationship with the Orthodox Church.

I guess blowing up churches and killing priests is considered "complex" these days.