A horrible human toll the Russian Orthodox Church suffered throughout almost the entire 20th century. The Church is just rising from its knees. Our young post-Soviet state is just learning to respect the Church as an independent institution.
The great majority of the nobility and gentry of England clung to the doctrine and ceremonies of the ancient church, and yet were united in determination to oppose the papal claims.
The church, by reason of her role and competence, is not identified with any political community nor is it tied to any political system
When kings interfere in matters of religion, they enslave instead of protecting it.
If the church is to be faithful it must be formed andordered from the inside of its experience and confession and not by borrowing from sources extenal to its own life.
The church must be the critic and guide of the state, and never its tool.
