In the Russian archives holds numerous evidence of this in the form of letters and telegrams, messages and statements, messages, and greetings. For this publication we selected documents from the first half of 1945 GARF, RGASPI and RGANI. In the last archive there is a special Fund 628 containing telegrams leaders, clergy and believers of virtually all existing in the USSR during the war of religious organizations and were from all parts of the Soviet Union2. Documents have a uniting feature of them, they have a common destination – Stalin, to which believers turn and as a Supreme Commander and as the head of the government, and as a “father, leader and teacher”.
in July 1941, there is a spontaneous movement for the creation of a national Fund for the defense of the country. In all branches of the USSR state Bank had opened a special account, which accepted contributions from the population: personal cash savings, gold and silver things, royalties and the state prize, bonds, state loans, payouts, borrowing and monetary clothing lottery, the money earned on Saturdays and Sundays, etc to the defense Fund during the war received more than 17 billion rubles in cash, 13 kg of platinum, 131 kg of gold, 9.5 tons of silver, 1.7 billion of jewelry, more than 4.5 billion rubles of bonds for government loans. In these folk remedies built tank columns and squadron, warships and armoured trains, artillery and mortar batteries; produced small arms, radios, military equipment, uniforms and ammunition.
In 1942, this widespread Patriotic movement joined religious organizations, having received organizational capabilities. Published in chronological order, the documents testify to the widespread collecting of funds, valuables, clothes and food to the defense Fund of the country, which went for the construction of tanks and aircraft to assist soldiers, their families and children, the restoration of the war-shattered economy (see Doc. 1-2, 4-7). Among the traditional civic holidays that are always observed elevated believers Church and Patriotic duties, there was the birthday of the red Army on 23 February (see Doc. 3), the First of may. Responded heads of churches and significant events of the final period of the great Patriotic war decisions of the Crimean conference, the allied powers, the capture of Berlin, (see Doc. 8).
Information about the signing of the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany, voiced at the all-Union radio legend of the Soviet air Yuri Levitan on the morning of may 9, 1945, victory caused jubilation in the whole society. To the leadership of the Soviet��, the state received greetings from a variety of religious organizations: Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish, (see Doc. 9-12).
the publication presents only a small part of the Patriotic documents of the believers3.
Publication was prepared by the main specialist RGASPI, doctor of historical Sciences, Mikhail Odintsov, Deputy head of Department of using of documents of rsasph, candidate of historical Sciences, Anna Kochetova.
Andrey Sorokin, candidate of historical Sciences, Director of the RGASPI, columnist “the Soviet story. Documents”
Publication prepared with the financial support of RFBR, research project N 19-09-00049А.
January 9, 1945
Moscow. The Kremlin
Supreme commander
Marshal of the Soviet Union
Stalin
Dear Joseph Vissarionovich!
the faithful Muslims of Moscow, inspired by the victories of the heroic red Army, which, under Your wise leadership, successfully smashing the German fascist hordes, and wishing a speedy defeat of the enemy in his own lair, gathered for the construction of a tank column 55.000 roubles in cash and 20.060 rubles bonds Treasury bonds.
we Wish You, Stalin, of health and strength, we wish new victories of the red Army for the glory of our Soviet Motherland. Amen.
On behalf of Muslims of Moscow
Mukhtasib, the Imam of the mosque of Nasrutdinov
the Chairman of the parish Council Alimov
Secretary Khabibulin
RGASPI. F. 628. Op. 1. D. 439. L. 130.
Original. On the letterhead.
January 12, 1945
Moscow, 90
vypolzov pereulok, 7, office 1/a
Muhtasib, the Imam of the mosque Nasrutdinova
the Chairman of the parish Council Alimov
Secretary Khabibulina
Please convey to the believing Muslims of Moscow, brought together fifty-five thousand rubles in money, and twenty thousand sixty rubles bonds Treasury bonds for the construction of a tank column, my greetings and gratitude of red Army.
Stalin.
Litter: “Response sent 12.I.1945”.
RGASPI. F. 628. Op. 1. D. 439. L. 129. Typescript.
February 22, 1945
Moscow. The Kremlin
Supreme Commander
Marshal of the Soviet Union
Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin
If always, our thoughts and feelings we and our gallant defen��AMI, the day specially dedicated to our great red Army, 27th anniversary, we feel a special sense of admiration note of her exploits, completes the final defeat of fascism.
Greeting her and You, her Supreme leader and the whole of our great country, we pray to the Lord of heavenly help You and to her.
the celebration of the red Army Patriarchate contributes to the defense Fund of 500,000 rubles, and the Moscow temples I intended to mark this day with special contributions on defense.
Warmly wish You, dear Joseph Vissarionovich, health and many forces for many years for the construction of peaceful life in all countries of the world.
Alexy, Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia
Litter: “Published on 28 February 1945”
RGASPI. F. 628. Op. 1. D. 439. L. 5. Copy. Typescript.
From Ulan-Ude
March 21, 1945
Moscow. The Kremlin
Supreme commander
Marshal of the Soviet Union
Stalin
Dear Joseph Vissarionovich!
Inspired by the heroic victories of our valiant red Army, routing the enemy in his own den, the faithful Buddhists made on the construction of military aircraft ninety thousand rubles.
Let this be a modest contribution to the cause of the defeat of Nazi invaders.
we Wish You, dear Joseph Vissarionovich, health and long life for the benefit of our Soviet homeland, for fear of its enemies.
Ulan-Ude. Of freedom 18
Hayden Galsanov
RGASPI. F. 628. Op. 1. D. 439. L. 35. Original. On the letterhead.
22 March 1945
Ulan-Ude
Liberty Street 18
so Hidan Galsanova
Please convey to the faithful Buddhists, gathered ninety thousand rubles for the construction of military aircraft, my greetings and gratitude of red Army.
Stalin
Litter: “the Answer sent 5.III.1945”.
RGASPI. F. 628. Op. 1. D. 439. L. 34. Copy. Typescript.
From the city of Kazan
March 30, 1945
Moscow
Supreme commander
Marshal of the Soviet Union
the great Stalin Joseph Vissarionovich
the Great commander, under your wise leadership, our native Red Army and its brave soldiers with their historic victories hasten the final destruction of the hated enemy.
We, the believing Muslims of Kazan, expressing his joy about the new victories of the red Army contributed from their savings to Fund pobe��s red Army 70 thousand RUB over money 130 thousand rubles bonds Treasury bonds and pray to Allah to bless the Red Army on the rapid defeat of the enemy.
Mukhtasib of Kazan mosque Qiamuddin the Abdulkadyrovich Kadyrov
RGASPI. F. 628. Op. 1. D. 439. L. 73. Original. On the letterhead.
April 4, 1945
Kazan
Muhtasib mosque of Kazan
Qiamuddin the Abdulkadyrovich Kadyrov
Please convey to the believing Muslims of Kazan, collected seventy thousand roubles in money and a hundred thirty thousand rubles bonds Treasury bonds to Fund the red Army, my greetings and gratitude of red Army.
Stalin
Litter: “Response sent 4.IV.1945”.
RGASPI. F. 628. Op. 1. D. 439. L. 72. Copy. Typescript.
may 3, 1945
Moscow. The Kremlin
Marshal of the Soviet Union
Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin
the News of the capture of Berlin, led by our valiant and inspired by Your genius troops filled the hearts of all faithful sons of our Motherland endless joy and exultation.
Our Church by offering this historic day of thanks phenomenon to God, deepens your prayer about You, beloved Supreme Leader of our nation, and of the native Army, and calls upon the heavenly blessing on the last feats of arms in the name of the final victory.
Alexy, Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia
GARF. F. R-6991. Op. 2. 3. L. 63. Original. Autograph.
may 9, 1945 Lightning
Moscow. The Kremlin
Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin
the Greatest in the history of mankind the victory was accomplished.
the Red Army and our friends the allies crushed the monster of fascism.
Thank You, great Leader!
I Pray to Almighty may God grant us all His blessing.
the Hierarch Alexander Vvedensky
RGANI. F. 3. Op. 60. D. 32. L. 69. Original. Autograph.
may 9, 1945
Moscow. The Kremlin
Marshall
Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin
on this historic day, the final victory over the enemies I send You, the great Supreme leader, sincere greetings and Salam.
Pray to Allah about blessing of the Holy prize.
so help You God in bringing to a glorious end to your noble work for the emancipation of the oppressed peoples. Amen.
Mufti of the Central spiritual administration of the Muslims
Gabdrakhman Rasulev
RGANI. F. 3. Op. 60. D. 32. L. 70. AuthenticIR. On the letterhead.
of Etchmiadzin
may 10, 1945
Moscow. The Kremlin
the President of the Council of people’s Commissars of the USSR
Stalin
Today, the Etchmiadzin Cathedral with the participation of all the brethren of the monastery and in the presence of numerous worshippers, I made thanksgiving a thanksgiving on the occasion of the victorious conclusion of the great Patriotic war.
We lifted up prayers to God for the gift of health to You, the leader of the people, the oppressed of mankind, under whose wise leadership the victorious Red Army came and saved our homeland, honor and dignity of the Soviet people saved the civilization of life and freedom-loving peoples.
Deputy Catholicos of all Armenians, the Archbishop of Seoraksan
RGANI. F. 3. Op. 60. D. 32. L. 72. Original. On the letterhead.
From the city of Khorog
may 11, 1945
Moscow. The Kremlin
Supreme Commander
Marshal of the Soviet Union
T. Stalin
on behalf of all the faithful Ismailis of the Pamirs congratulations You won the historic final victory of the Soviet people over the enemy of all humanity – Nazi Germany.
Ishan Saidmuradov Sanomat
RGANI. F. 3. Op. 60. D. 32. L. 73. Original. On the letterhead.
1. Odintsov M. I., Kochetova A. S. Religious policy in the Soviet Union during the great Patriotic war of 1941-1945, M., 2014.
2. RGASPI. F. 628. Collection of documents, letters and telegrams of Soviet and foreign citizens about their donations to the defense Fund of the USSR. 1942-1946 gg
3. Cm. other publications of archival documents: “… please Accept my humble gift for our glorious red army.” Letters, appeals, and telegrams faithful to Stalin. 1943-1945 // Historical archive. 2015. No. 4. P. 121-141 / publ. M. I. Odintsov, A. S. Kochetova; “Priest Alexander Troitsky has made 100 thousand roubles…”. 75 years ago on the initiative of Metropolitan Sergius was created by a tank column named Dmitry Donskoy / publ. M. I. Odintsov, A. S. Kochetova // Homeland. 2019. No. 3. P. 126-133.
