Former spokesman for the Russian Orthodox Church says Stalin was God's way of punishing the Bolsheviks

Commenting on recent scandals involving Joseph Stalin, Russian Orthodox archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin wrote on Facebook this Wednesday that the infamous Soviet leader was actually a divine servant sent to punish the men responsible for the Bolshevik Revolution and the Red Terror.

Addressing recent scandals involving Stalin — the restored memorial plaque at Kutafin Moscow State Law University and a new survey showing that Russians consider Stalin to be the world’s all-time most remarkable person — Chaplin blamed the uproar on people who “tremble at thought of a strong hand,” which he argues is essential for the future of Russia.

“Yes, Stalin was an atheist, at least for most of his life. And yes he is responsible for the deaths of many innocent people — especially peasants, Cossacks, and clergymen. But he was God’s scourge against the bloody authors of the revolution and the ‘Red Terror.’ An unwilling (or perhaps willing?) servant of God — ‘a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil’ (Romans 13:4), like the Roman emperors, persecutors of Christianity,” Chaplin wrote on Facebook.

Chaplin went on to say that Russians who “tremble” today at the mention of Stalin’s name are the “biological, ideological, and spiritual descendants” of the “executioners” whom Stalin righteously destroyed.

The Russian Orthodox archpriest, who acted as the spokesman for the entire church between 2009 and 2015, went on to say that “justice once again needs the leadership of a strong hand,” explaining that the country now looks to Christianity, instead of godless revolution, for its future.