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Former Soviet Leader Admits He is a Christian
The London Telegraph ^ | March 19, 2008 | Malcolm Moore
Posted on 03/19/2008 1:46:50 PM PDT by rrstar96
Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Communist leader of the Soviet Union, has
acknowledged his Christian faith for the first time, paying a surprise
visit to pray at the tomb of St Francis of Assisi.
Accompanied by his daughter Irina, Mr Gorbachev spent half an hour on
his knees in silent prayer at the tomb.
His arrival in Assisi was described as "spiritual perestroika" by La
Stampa, the Italian newspaper.
"St Francis is, for me, the alter Christus, the other Christ," said Mr
Gorbachev. "His story fascinates me and has played a fundamental role
in my life," he added.
Mr Gorbachev's surprise visit confirmed decades of rumours that,
although he was forced to publicly pronounce himself an atheist, he
was in fact a Christian, and casts a meeting with Pope John Paul II in
1989 in a new light.
Mr Gorbachev, 77, was baptised into the Russian Orthodox Church and
his parents were Christians.
In addition, the parents of his wife Raisa were deeply religious and
were killed during the Second World War for having religious icons in
their home.
Ronald Reagan, the former United States president, allegedly told his
close aides on a number of occasions that he felt his opponent during
the Cold War was a "closet believer".
Mr Reagan held deep religious convictions himself. However, until now
Mr Gorbachev has allowed himself to express only pantheistic views,
saying in one interview "nature is my god".
After his prayers, Mr Gorbachev toured the Basilica of St Francis and
asked in particular to be shown an icon of St Francis ****traying his
"dream at Spoleto".
St Francis, who lived in the 12th century, was a troubadour and a poet
before the spiritual vision caused him to return to Assisi and
contemplate a religious life.
Even in his early days, St Francis helped the poor, once giving all of
his money to a beggar. As well as spending time in the wilderness, he
also nursed lepers and eventually became a priest.
"It was through St Francis that I arrived at the Church, so it was
im****tant that I came to visit his tomb," said Mr Gorbachev.
"I feel very emotional to be here at such an im****tant place not only
for the Catholic faith, but for all humanity."
He also asked the monks for theological books to help him understand
St Francis's life.
Father Miroslavo Anuskevic, who accompanied the former Soviet leader,
said: "He was not recognised by any of the wor****ppers in the church,
and silently meditated at the tomb for a while. He seemed a man deeply
inspired by charity, and told me that he was involved in a project to
help children with cancer.
"He talked a lot about Russia and said that even though the transition
to democracy had been very im****tant for the world, it was very
painful for Russia. He said it was a country which has a great
history, and also a great spirituality."
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TOPICS: Catholic; Orthodox Christian
KEYWORDS: catholic; mikhailgorbachev; orthodox; russia
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This is a wonderful conversion story, being re****ted during Holy Week
no less.
We should all wish the former Communist leader a grace-filled
spiritual journey he appears to be taking in earnest.
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