“But it is true that difficulties often create conditions for people to turn to the Scriptures,” he added. Contemplating statistics which indicate no abatement in the demand for Bibles across Russia, Mr Rudenko thought that economic and social difficulties could certainly account in part for people’s continuing interest in the Word of God.

Unemployed

In 1997 the BSR increased the prices of Scriptures for regular distribution, and a reduction in distribution was also expected because of the economic squeeze. “You would expect distribution figures to fall at least a little given the circumstances. But such is the demand for the Bible here that, if anything, our distribution is up over last year,” said Mr Rudenko.

Part of the reason for this he attributes to the sales of Bibles via the television. Tens of thousands of Bibles have been distributed in 1997 through orders arising from television promotion of the various Scripture editions now available through the BSR. “If anything, people have become more selective. They want more choice, different editions of the Bible, and our job is to keep pace with this demand and develop the Scripture materials that will meet their needs,” he said.

Two new areas of distribution were currently being tested: every post office in Russia has a copy of a book catalogue from which people can place orders through the post office. The Bible Society now has its editions carried in this catalogue. “This means that, providing people can get to their local post office, even in the remotest parts of Russia they can order copies of the Scriptures,” said Mr Rudenko.

“We have also got the Scripture editions in a business literature direct mail catalogue, and this is circulated to lawyers, bankers and professional bodies, creating new opportunities for Scripture distribution.”

Over the Christmas period, in Moscow, the BSR provides Scriptures for orphans. A Christian organisation gathers some 5,000 Moscow orphans at this time of year and puts on concerts, games and meals for them in a festival that helps to brighten the children’s lives.

The BSR has provided 5,000 Scriptures based on the Lion publication The Story of Jesus translated into Russian, at a cost of US $15,000. “These are illustrated, quality books, that these children will treasure,” said Mr Rudenko.

Another project aimed at children is the provision of 5,000 copies of Children’s Bible Story books in the Chuvash language at the cost of $15,000. The BSR is in contact with the Ministry of Education in Chuvashia and hoped to be able to distribute the Scriptures in Chuvash to school libraries throughout the region, which is to the east of Moscow on the Volga river, in Tartarstan. The books would be useful for children learning to read Chuvash.

A more ambitious project for free distribution was planned through the Bible Society branches in Novosibirsk and Vladivostok, covering Siberia and the far east of Russia. This project, which costs $150,000, will provide some 80,000 Children’s New Testaments for children in orphanages and institutions for young offenders.

“We have been negotiating with the Ministries of Education and of Justice for access to the local institutions to distribute these Scriptures,” Mr Rudenko said. “The Government Deputy Head of Staff has issued written instructions to the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Education to cooperate in this program.”

It has already been demonstrated that, where the Bible is taken seriously in such institutions, there is a marked improvement in the behaviour and rehabilitation of young offenders, and a new, more positive attitude among orphans.

Mr Rudenko believes that the New Testaments will help young people get back on the path of contributing positively to their society. “We have seen how effective such distribution programs can be in Moscow and Western Russia. Now we want to reach further afield,” he added. (WR 328/11 - 2.98)