The Soviet Union celebrated the 1000th anniversary of Christianity in Russia, marked by events held in the USSR from May-June 1988. Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavich introduced Christianity to Russia in 988. This celebration, marked by the ringing of church bells, came at a time when freedom of religion was returning to Russia after a century of religious oppression from a godless government that wanted to stamp out religion altogether. Decades of prayer to Our Lady of Fatima were finally being answered; but also the Queen of Peace of Medjugorje was known and loved in these nations behind the Iron Curtain.
