The Russian Orthodox Church is the dominant religious denomination in Russia. For generations, it was the country's official religions, and Russian people were automatically considered to be Orthodox, no matter what their personal beliefs. During the Soviet era, the government did much to weaken the church, including killing tens of thousands of priests, monks, and nuns, and closing most churches. The much smaller church that survived was largely controlled by the state. Because of state-sanctions atheism during the Soviet era, only 15 to 20 percent of Russia's population today actively practices Orthodoxy, although a much greater number claim to be Russian Orthodox Christians.

Question

Study the excerpt above. Based on this information, why wasn't the Russian Orthodox church more prominent or powerful during the Soviet era?

Responses

Many Christians converted to Protestantism
Many Christians converted to Protestantism

The government killed many priests, monks, and nuns
The government killed many priests, monks, and nuns

The church began to adopt new practices that the people did not accept.
The church began to adopt new practices that the people did not accept.

Islam became the dominant religion in RussiaThe Russian Orthodox Church is the dominant religious denomination in Russia. For generations, it was the country's official religions, and Russian people were automatically considered to be Orthodox, no matter what their personal beliefs. During the Soviet era, the government did much to weaken the church, including killing tens of thousands of priests, monks, and nuns, and closing most churches. The much smaller church that survived was largely controlled by the state. Because of state-sanctions atheism during the Soviet era, only 15 to 20 percent of Russia's population today actively practices Orthodoxy, although a much greater number claim to be Russian Orthodox Christians.

Study the excerpt above. Based on this information, why wasn't the Russian Orthodox church more prominent or powerful during the Soviet era?

Responses

Many Christians converted to Protestantism

The government killed many priests, monks, and nuns

The church began to adopt new practices that the people did not accept.

Islam became the dominant religion in Russia

Answer 1

The most accurate response based on the excerpt is:

The government killed many priests, monks, and nuns.

This response directly relates to the information provided about the Soviet government's actions to weaken the Russian Orthodox Church, including the killing of religious leaders and the closing of churches, which significantly diminished the church's power and influence during that era.