摘要：In article social and demographic parameters of orthodox believers of the Penza region (age, sex, social and labor employment, etc.) are characterized; types and level of religious ceremonialism in the region are analyzed; methods of distribution of religious beliefs the main thing from which was the believer's family reveal; methods of realization of the Soviet state religious policy at the regional level through local authorized Council for affairs of Russian Orthodox Church (later - Council for affairs of religions) and state and party authorities are described; the changes in confessional practice of local orthodox religious associations and believers connected, first of all, with some changes in an internal social and economic situation in the USSR come to light (for example, distribution of ideas about human rights); features of financial activity of the Penza orthodox religious communities and actually orthodox believers are considered; dynamics and specifics of submission of petitions and complaints by orthodox believers in various instances in the 1940-1980th is studied; specifications are brought in a plot about Paraskevinsky church in Kuznetsk of the Penza region; new tendencies in the contingent of believers and activity of Orthodox Christians religious the organizations in the second half of the 1980th determined by «рerestroika» processes in the country are defined; it is proved that objective process of a sekulyarization of society in general, outlooks of the Soviet people in particular, made impact on consciousness of followers of an orthodox cult, including in the Penza region, in respect of decrease in the general level and quality of religiousness with what also Penza attendants of an orthodox cult agreed.
