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Russian Revolution
The Russian Tsar was overthrown by the the workers' state -
Bolsheviks assassinated the tsar
the Bolsheviks assassinated the tsar and his family and many others who opposed them -
Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin began the Communist International
the Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin began the Communist International (known as the Comintern) to coordinate communist revolutions across the world -
Communist International organised the league of the Godless
he party organised the League of the Godless to harass and persecute churchgoers. -
Joseph Stalin seized control of the Communist Party
Stalin seized control of the Communist Party in 1927 and religious freedom became even more limited. Stalin’s Five Year Plan (1928–33) was to wipe out all landowners, turn private farms into communal operations and industrialise society. -
Law on Religious Associations was proclaimed
the Law on Religious Associations was proclaimed, under which people were allowed to worship in the few churches that remained and congregations had to register with the government. People were not allowed to be instructed in the faith nor could they gather for prayer or discussion. -
Priests not Considered Workers
priests were not considered workers and, therefore, were taxed at exorbitant rates, were given no healthcare provisions or social security, and were ineligible to join collective farms. -
Pope Pius XI published his encyclical
Pope Pius XI, in direct response to the increasing and severe persecution of Christians in Russia, published his encyclical Divini Redemptoris, which condemned communism and called for a worldwide day of prayer for the sufferings of the Christians in Russia. The encyclical decries communism as inherently atheistic and says that communism robs people of their dignity and liberty.