By Marie Mulvenna

"The Church can exist in any society or social structure, even an atheistic one." So spoke Archpriest Nikolai Gundyaey of the Russian Orthodox Church as he addressed an Atlanta press conference last week. The visiting delegation of Soviet church leaders was consistently candid in comments on the role of the church in Russia, stating over and over during their two day stay that religion does indeed exist, is stronger than ever, but must function "within the law."

"We do not like the law," Dr. A. M. Bychkov said, "but we must live within it." The general secretary of the All Union Council of Evangelical Christians-Baptists told press representatives that Christians in the Soviet Union could not, by law, hold Sunday schools, hold open air meetings, nor evangelize in the streets. "We do have rights of worship and service," he said, adding that the church buildings do not belong to the churches themselves, but are given to them by the government.

Responding to questions of oppression, Dr. Bychkov said those imprisoned or arrested, in most cases, are guilty of violating the law. "They are not arrested because they are Christians," he maintained, but because they have disregarded the law of the country.

Bishop Svistun Makary, Russian Orthodox Bishop of Uman, said it "is not easy to be a Christian anywhere," stating openly that it was most difficult to bring new members into the church and do missionary work within the letter of Soviet law. "The Holy Spirit however is not bound by laws. He is working everywhere in the world, and working vividly in the Soviet Union, perhaps more than any other place."

The Bishop said young people are extremely interested in the Church and attribute their initial interest to widespread atheistic propaganda. He said people have great respect for their spiritual leaders, adding there is no such thing as an "underground" church and four to five applicants are received for every seminary opening. "There is no lack of young, vigorous people who would like to serve Jesus Christ," he said.

Professor Alexei Osipov of the Moscow Theological academy, addressed the public forum held at the Cathedral of Christ the King, stating that the ideologies of atheism and Christianity "co-exist in our society." The Russian Orthodox professor of theology said Marxist ideology rejects the presence of God. "We cannot agree with this side and we declare this openly," he stated.

On the thorny topic of religious freedom, Father Nikolai Gundyaey, vice-president of the department of External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, said they could not in any way say that religious movements are met with the approval of the state. "If any of us came out with such an answer about religious activity in our country, then the people who stand outside with picket signs would be right." Referring to the handful of pickets which protested the exchange visit, Father Gundyaey said "they either do not know much or that have no love in their hearts. To accuse us of betraying the church -- to accuse us who, during 60 years of Soviet power, have been witnessing to Jesus Christ -- to say anything like that means that these people do not have love or are liars," he said heatedly. Protestors had appeared at the delegations' Atlanta hotel as well as a Doxology service at the Greek Cathedral of the Annunciation.

"It is simple to decide for other people who are in another place," he said, adding that "all of us, the believers, are striving for certain goals and we direct our activities toward these." He said he was hopeful about the role of Christianity in Russia, explaining that in 1966 a new article in the Russian constitution was adopted, saying that those who discriminate against religious believers were to be punished. "This shows some concern for believers in Christ and we are hopeful about our future practice of religion."

Dr. Bychkov furnished background data on the role of the Church in Russia, stating that following the revolution the Church was separated from the state and all religions were then equal before the law. This, he said, was a great blow to the Orthodox Church which had been the state church until that time. He related that many new churches were opened during World War II. "People oppressed by war's sorrow and suffering tried to find out what it is to believe in the Lord," he said. "They came to the churches asking and found the meaning of Christ for modern man."

"Atheists have tried to find a better way to stop us but they did not find it yet, and I hope they never do," he declared strongly. "Jesus Christ is our power and will be forever." Speaking on the role of Christian leaders, Dr. Bychkov said, "we try to use our possibilities to witness to Christ in our circumstances and do it in the best way possible." During their two-day stay in Atlanta, the visiting delegation of religious leaders took part in various activities planned by an interdenominational host committee. Their U.S. visit is part of an ongoing ecumenical exchange program that saw American leaders visiting the Soviet Union last fall.

During a Doxology service at the Greek Cathedral of the Annunciation, Bishop Makary spoke of his joy at being able to speak to Americans about Christ and the joy of Russian Christians functioning in "a country where atheistic propaganda is state policy." He said "there are no unhappy Christians in the world," adding that those who follow in the steps of Christ find a life full of joy. The youthful bishop told participants in the Orthodox service that the "time is coming when we must extend the hand of brotherhood to each other."

At the Cathedral forum Bishop Makary said, "Christianity in the Soviet Union has a firm foundation and no force on earth could lead our people from Christ. Our mission in the Soviet Union has a great future." He related that there are at least 30 million followers of the Russian Orthodox faith in Russia, numerous seminaries and theological centers of study.

Visiting the gravesite of Martin Luther King, Jr., the delegates told Rev. Martin Luther King, Sr., how much admired his son was in their country. After laying flowers at the grave and snapping pictures, they chatted with Dr. King and then visited Ebenezer Church where they prayed and sang "What a Friend We Have in Jesus."

During a visit with Mrs. Coretta Scott King at the temporary headquarters of the King Center for Social Change, the Russian visitors told her they hoped her late husband's "dream" would "soon come true for all men." Following a tour and luncheon at the Interdenominational Theological Center at Atlanta University Complex, they journeyed to the public forum at Christ the King.

During the ecclesial welcome banquet at the Greek Cathedral, representatives of the major faiths welcomed the delegation, extending greetings on behalf of their members. Archbishop Donnellan gave greetings for the Catholics of Atlanta, while Father Home Goumenis represented those of the Orthodox tradition, and Paul E. Manners presented welcoming remarks for the various Protestant denominations in the city.

The delegation wound up their stay in Atlanta with a half-day trip to Northlake Mall, a local McDonald's and a tour of Stone Mountain.