There are about 200 churches in Moscow, and although some are closed and a few converted into schools, there would "ym to plenty tet for their legitimate use. On the third Sunday in Septembe I went to the famous Church of the Redeemer, and then to a later]
joe at a beautiful church some tance away. where I was told the "sare maintained on. the old found there some hundreds devout worshippers, and those who know the conditions will understand the appeal such a service lakes to all who appreciate ornate ritual. grand music, and a magnificently decorated church.
There sermon, and I was told this is now the onl by the authorities upon the clergy. There were considerably more men than women worshippers. a point of attending a different church at about 9 o'clock each zo morning, and always found a fair number of people there.
The Chapel of the Iberian Virgin Space forbids the recital of other ications of progress and resumption of normal activities in a great lby the entrance to the Red Square,|city, It seems to me that big is flanked by the Kremlin, is|Luciness opportunities "are being ill highly revered, and whenever missed. Our manufacturers and I passed by people were wai their turn to enter; another fairly srge church acor by was well filled when I looked in about noon. I do) not know anything about the Church revenues, but the gorgeous Xestments and wonderfully decora'- ed churches cannot have—been interfered with to any considerable extent. I saw sufficient evidence of liberty in public worship to satisfy' me that the allegations of religious. persecution should not be too readily. accepted. now, however justified in the past. I was told, however, that, no trade union member is allowed. on pain of expansion, to enter a church, and that penalty must be an effective deterrent to all but the others interested should take steps all th relevant facts before deciding that it is inadvisable to give extended credit, Every contract entered into by the Soviet Authorities during the Inst five years appears to have been fulfilled. At least I have not heard of any. cases of default. am satisfied that there a genuine desire to purchase here rather than from our Continental: competitors. most devout. Certainly there is, much outward. respect for religion, and I notified that it was ithe general practice to uncover or sake the Sign of the Cross in ug by a church or shrine, ney Apparently Plentiful People com to have money to spend freely enough, the shops are crowded and long queues patiently waiting to enter are to be seen in the shopping centres. The Great. Theatre, which seats 4,000, was full each night I was there, and ix said to be crowded for every ballet for opera performance. I. found full houses in three other theatres, and the neighbouring cafes were packed at and after midnight. The ballet and opera at the Great, Theatre are said to be quite up to their old standard—cortainly it would be difficult to think otherwise.
The audiences, mainly of striction imposed] working class appearance, are quietly appreciative, and are admitted on easy terms. A box for I made|six, by the way, costs about two pounds, and amphitheatre stalls ight shillings each.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.