Read Online Sister Pelagia and the White Bulldog by Boris Akunin - Free Book Online Page B

People can and should think differently, but a multinational people that wishes to remain united must have a single faith. Otherwise we shall face discord, internecine war, and the total breakdown of morality. Konstantin Petrovich’s credo consists in this, and the emperor is of the same opinion. Hence the urgent demands addressed by the Holy Synod to the bishops of those provinces where followers of other faiths and schismatics are numerous. Every month, from the western, the Baltic, and even the Central Asian provinces the bishops report thousands and tens of thousands of conversions. From Zavolzhie alone, where both schism and Mohammedanism flourish, no joyful news is received. I declare quite openly that I have been sent here first and foremost to clarify whether the reason for this passivity is lack of ability or lack of will.”
    Vladimir Lvovich paused in a fashion appropriate to these words and then continued in a significantly softer tone: “Your inactivity is damaging to the monolithic unity of the empire and the very idea of Russian statehood; it sets a bad example for the other bishops. I am entirely open with you, Your Grace, because I can see that you are a practical individual and by no means the starry-eyed dreamer you are represented as being by certain people in St. Petersburg. So let us speak without equivocation and to the point. You and I have a common interest. It is essential that the true faith win a genuine victory here in Zavolzhie—complete conversion of all Old Believers to the bosom of Orthodoxy, the baptism of thousands upon thousands of Bashkirs, or something equally impressive. This will be salutary for you, since your bishopric will no longer be listed among those that are out of favor, and extremely useful to me, because these accomplishments will be the direct result of my visit.”
    Seeing the displeasure on the bishop’s face and mistakenly taking this grimace for doubt, Bubentsov added: “Is Your Grace uncertain how to go about the business? Please do not be concerned. That is why I have been sent. I shall arrange everything, only do not stick any spokes in my wheel.”
    The bishop, being a genuinely straightforward man, did not beat about the bush, but replied in the same tone: “This credo of yours is pernicious nonsense. Konstantin Petrovich was not born yesterday and he knows as well as I do that you cannot win anyone over to a different faith by coercion. It is only possible to speak of the observance of one religious rite or another, and as far as the monolithic unity of the state is concerned, that is of no significance whatever. I believe that the chief procurator is pursuing some other goals that have nothing to do with faith. For instance, the introduction of police methods of management into the spiritual sphere.”
    “Well, and what of it?” said Bubentsov with a cool shrug. “If this empire of yours and mine holds firm, it will only be due to the effort of will demonstrated by the powers that be. Every dissenter in thought and faith must remember at every moment that he is under close observation, that he will not be indulged and given a totally free rein. Freedoms are for Gauls and Anglo-Saxons, but our strength lies in unity and obedience.”
    “You speak to me of politics, but I speak to you of the human soul.” Mitrofanii sighed and then went on to say something that he should not have done. “I do not have many new conversions in my diocese, because I do not see any point in enticing schismatics, Muslims, and German colonists into Orthodoxy. I say let everyone believe as he wishes, as long as he believes in God and not in the devil. As long as people behave in a godly manner, that is all that is necessary.”
    Bubentsov’s eyes glinted and he spoke in a voice that was ingratiating but conveyed an unconcealed threat: “An interesting opinion for a provincial bishop to hold. And far from coinciding with the opinion of Konstantin Petrovich and his majesty the