An attempt of periodization of the history of relations between the Soviet state and the religious denominations

This article discusses the periodization of the history of relations between the Soviet state and religious denominations. The author identified 11 stages in the development of these relations:: 1. 1917-1918 – a transitional stage that prepared the transition from old relations to new ones; 2. 1918-1929 – the stage of development of new legislation on religious cults; 3. 1929-1934 – the stage of completion of the development of legislation on cults; 4. 1934-1938 – the period of persecution, “The Great Terror”; 5. 1938-1943 – the stage of easing of pressure and uncertainty; 6. 1943-1948 – the stage of prosperity of relations between the state and the church; 7. 1948-1954 – the stage of cooling relations between the state and religious cults; 8. 1954-1958 – the stage of deterioration of relations between the state and cults; 9. 1958-1965 – a new stage of persecution; 10.1966-1987 – the stage of coexistence or stagnation; 11. 1988-1991 – the stage of normalization of relations between the state and religions. The periodization is based on two principles: the first - the institution of power, responsible for the implementation of the religious policy of the state; the second - the legislative acts relating to the relations of the state and the church, adopted in the relevant era. This allows, on the one hand, to trace the logical chain of events in terms of the evolution of relations between the Soviet state and religious cults, and on the other hand, relieves of the need to consider these relations in a purely denominational aspect.