Religion: Missionary to Moscow

Roman Catholics have had an American priest in Moscow off and on for several years, but at no time since the U.S. recognized the Soviet Union in 1933 has there been a permanent Protestant pastor to minister to the tiny (now 280) American colony in Russia’s capital. Believers among the Protestant diplomats and journalists have had to be satisfied with the lay readings once a week at the British embassy, or await the monthly arrival of an Anglican priest from nearby Helsinki.

Last week the National Council of Churches announced that a Protestant chaplain at last has been assigned to the post. He is the Rev. Donald Roberts, 35, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Tonawanda, N.Y. Pastor Roberts will take his wife and seven-month-old daughter to Moscow, although there is no more assurance than ever that the Kremlin will resolve the “administrative” difficulties that have kept the Protestants out all these years. In other words, Roberts will have no church at all in Moscow. When the flock arrives on Sundays, it will meet in the front parlor of the apartment where he and his family live.