[FormerLib]

I'm really interested in Eastern Orthodox resistance to the Soviets after Stalin changed his strategy to coopt the Churches rather than eliminate them.

Perhaps you can tell me why it appears you are so quick to dismiss their resistance before then?

[sanormal]

Stalin associated the Eastern Orthodox Churches with Czarist powers and, therefore, tried to eliminate them. I recognize that many tens of thousands were martyred during this reign of destruction.

Stalin realized that Christian Churches could be easily co-opted as agents of the Communist Party. He accomplished this aim with facility with Eastern Orthodox Churches. Indeed, some Eastern Orthodox Churches remain steadfast in this agency.

He was never able to accomplish this aim with Roman or Eastern Catholic Churches.

Indeed, the Roman and Eastern Catholic Churches were instrumental in the peaceful overthrow of Communism in Central and Eastern Europe.