Only in a limited sense are church and state separate in Russia. The state does not interfere with baptisms, burial services, prayers, singing, or any of the other rituals of the church. One may go to church without being fined or imprisoned; and the police do not break up church services. But in other respects the state applies powerful sanctions against the church.

—The Soviets confiscated all church property, taking title to all land and buildings. The churches occupy the property merely at the sufferance of the government.

—The church is not a juridical person in Soviet law. That is to say, the church cannot defend its property rights in the courts nor receive bequests under wills. (Soviet courts have winked at that prohibition by recognizing bequests made to ministers or priests.)

—The church is subject to the income...