"In Lubianka's Shadow" chronicles the extraordinary life of a young American Catholic priest, Father Leopold Braun, who, as pastor of a small Catholic church near the Lubianka political prison in the heart of Moscow, witnessed Stalin's purges, the Soviet government's campaign against organized religion, and the destruction of World War II. These memoirs, recently discovered in the archive of Fr. Braun's Assumptionist order by Soviet scholar Gary Hamburg, offer an intimate account of Fr. Braun's valiant effort to uphold Christian worship in the only Catholic church allowed to operate in Stalin's Moscow. Posted to Moscow in 1934 as chaplain of the United States embassy, Father Braun served the embassy staff and local parishioners in the Saint Louis des Francais Church at a moment when Stalin's anti-religious campaign was reaching a crescendo. He describes the Soviet government's intimidation and arrest of his parishioners, police surveillance of the church building, and personal harassment designed to force him out of the country.Father Braun's responses to these pressures - sometimes amusing, sometimes heart-rending, but always intelligent and soulful - tell us much about the capacity of ordinary people to respond to extraordinary circumstances. Under his pen, Soviet society comes alive, with its citizens' poverty, cynicism, humor, and courage on full display. Accompanying the memoirs is an introductory historical essay by G. M. Hamburg. "In Lubianka's Shadow" is required reading for anyone interested in modern Russian history and for those concerned about the survival of religious faith under political assault.

In Lubianka's Shadow and The Cambridge Companion to Postmodern Theology

The Cambridge Companion to Postmodern Theology

Write a review

Over 14,000 churches and schools have upgraded to an Advance Account and we‘d love to welcome you into this free program. We know that church volunteers and school teachers often use their own money, then have claim it back on on an expense form. We can take all of that hassle away by invoicing your church or school directly and delivering your order straight away.

Opening an account is quick and easy, with most accounts being approved and setup within a few hours of filling in the form below (on weekdays, not weekends). As soon as we‘ve approved the application we‘ll send you an email to let you know that its done.

Upgrade to a FREE Eden Advance Account