A Popular Cleric

The Soviet Government is reported to be getting alarmed over the increasing popularity of Patriarch Tikhon, who was unfrocked last May by the All Russian Church Council (TIME, May 12).

The Patriarch's church services are reported to be so well attended that the congregation often flows over into the streets.

Izvestia, Communist daily printed at Moscow, says that Tikhon's services are only a convenient cover to hide the plottings of monarchical elements. The paper advocates action against Tikhon, who is considered as an anti-Bolshevik.

It appears that Patriarch Tikhon has such a hold on the people that the Government is considered unlikely to take any action against him.