Soviet Evangelicals Since World War II, Walter Sawatsky, 1981

aut a ee The Union Defended, 1963-1969 213 and gnosticism.”38 His remarks about the Initsiationiki were much more specific, and this, no doubt, helped ensure that the subsequent discussion was much more open. In addition, Riga presbyter A. P. Vasks read a theological paper on unity and S. P. Fadiukhin, recently appointed assistant general secretary, read the official unity report, which dealt with the Init- siationiki at length. Karev stated very generally that they had sent repeated appeals to the CCECB to settle alll misunderstandings but the only reply received was increased insults, Karev characterized the many messages, fraternal leaflets, and other documents as instilled with arrogance and self-glorification, This was somewhat unfair because those insults and sharply worded statements had been resumed in 1966 until finally the sense of outrage was so strong that more than 400 persons took part in a sit-in demonstration at the Kremlin in May 1966. The state responded with Massive arrests, and, by the time the congress was held, almost al] of the CCECB eadership was in cus- tody. The twoleaders, Kriuchkovand Vins, wenton trial shortly after this, 39 Both the official speeches and the discussion period included a thorough airing of the causes for the split. These revealed a considerable difference of opinion among delegates and also among the different leaders, In his speech, S. P. Fadiukhin focused on several major charges of the CCECB which he tried to refute. F. adiukhin claimed that the Initsiationiki tives.“ Similarly he tried to brand Initsiationiki with opportunism by argu- ing that one day they were against registration and the next they were for it“! Finally he dismissed the charge that the AUCECB was conducting work destructive to the ECB churches. But he did acknowledge that earlier churches and that senior presbyters and presbyters who were unworthy had been kept in office. In fact, all Fadiukhin could promise was that with the combined strength of the children of God and the Lord’s help these would At this session, two CCECB spokesmen, G. I. Maiboroda and FE. T. Kovalenko were permitted to read a formal statement from the CCECB. This was a stiff restatement of the charges, focusing on the anti-evangelical documents. Both then explained that they were authorized to restrict 914 Soviet Evangelicals Since World War Il themselves to reading the statement and therefore rejected a dialogue. Thus the two official sides exchanged accusations, one complaining about anti- evangelical documents and the other about arrogance and pride. Quite a few of those taking part in the discussion, however, focused the attention on another issue which they thought was more serious. It was the senior presbyters who should ask for forgiveness for splitting the church with their high-handed administrative actions, sa