"Religion in Russia Under the Soviets" provides a detailed and timely examination of the dramatic shifts in the religious landscape of Russia following the 1917 Revolution. Written during the formative years of the Soviet Union, this work explores the complex and often antagonistic relationship between the newly established Bolshevik government and the various religious institutions within its borders, particularly the Russian Orthodox Church.

The text delves into the ideological foundations of Soviet policy toward religion, documenting the systematic efforts to secularize society and the resulting struggles faced by clergy and believers. Richard J. Cooke analyzes the legal and social transformations that reshaped Russian life, offering insights into the resilience of faith amidst political upheaval. This scholarly account serves as a significant historical record, capturing the tensions between revolutionary atheism and traditional spirituality during a period of profound global change.

Ideal for students of history, theology, and political science, "Religion in Russia Under the Soviets" remains an essential resource for understanding the early 20th-century origins of state-sponsored secularism and the enduring impact of Soviet rule on the religious identity of the Russian people.

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