ABSTRACT
The American press, for example, covered the decision of the Yaroslavl church council. It was decided to give back to the Russian Orthodox Church the famous Tolgskii Monastery near Yaroslavl. The influence of the Russian Orthodox Church upon Russian cultural life, upon spirituality, upon all aspects of life, was enormous. The future will depend very much upon the leadership of the Russian Orthodox Church, and upon the clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church. Consider the attitude of the Soviet leadership particularly toward the Russian Orthodox Church. Metropolitans participate in round table discussions on some burning issues of contemporary life in the Soviet Union. During the international film festival which took place in Moscow, Metropolitan Pitirim of Volokolamsk was invited for the first time to the discussion club at the festival, and he was seated at the presidium of the discussion club with some of the most famous film stars of the West.
