European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 14, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Magazine religious threads link upheavals in Eastern Europe resurrection of nations by George w. Cornell associated press n a blink the landscape heaved and the world changed. People could hardly believe it. Amazed incredulous they saw a new reality dawning Over the Earth surmounting old fears and fatalism. The grim immutable facts of their existence were suddenly not what they had seemed. That baffled astonishment among Eastern europeans at their burst from bondage also resonates in the recorded reaction to the resurrection of Christ and the liberating word of easter. Quot it has indeed been miraculous a Miracle that happened in the souls of people Quot said the Rev. John Meyendorff a scholar of the russian derived but Independent orthodox Church in America. Quot it has been a resurrection from a Long deadening of individual creativity and the god Given dignity of being human for millions of  no one could have predicted its suddenness and sweep he said. Quot i never thought i d live to see it. People Are finding it hard to  an a Idle tale Quot the apostles scoffed at first reports of Christ a resurrection. It made no sense the buried restored to life they  conceive of it until it confronted them directly and plainly. Likewise it had seemed impossible that half a continent could so rapidly be raised from its deep abyss of totalitarian repression. Yet in a Swift seismic wave of decisive events the whole posture of nations took another form. In a seeming instant a new Era of expanding rights and greater International Trust yawned wide. Symbolizing the far reaching phenomenon the Berlin Wall a that Barrier of the cold War that for three decades had divided humanity literally and figuratively a at last came tumbling Down nov. 9. Among rejoicing throngs an East German Friar said with a chuckle Quot the Iron curtain is not so much Iron  the Wall s demise and the rest of the whirlwind that freed nations and eased superpower antagonisms symbolically reflected a scripture passage on Christ s crucifixion and resurrection Quot for he is our peace who has made us both one and has broken Down the dividing Wall of  the changes came in tidal profusion in the soviet Union and its satellite countries one after another like some pent up Force breaking Loose Union trainable overflowing toppling tyrants unleashing multitudes from their chains. Almost magically the changes came generally without violence in so called Quot soft Quot or Quot velvet Quot revolutions. Quot not by might nor by Power but by my spirit says the lord of hosts Quot the biblical Prophet Zechariah said. Just As Christ s resurrection defied logic so on another plane did the breakthrough of nations. The sweeping transformation of 1989 contradicted All prior analyses and predictions. It went against the prognostications of the keenest thinkers and the gloomiest doomsayers. Quot it is difficult to think of any series of developments More astonishing Quot said roman Catholic historian theologian Richard Mcbrien. Harvard historian Richard pipes wrote Quot the recent events there have surpassed the wildest fantasies of any observer of soviet affairs who was willing to go on  grim facts of life in the soviet bloc were suddenly turned upside Down. Just As Christ s followers rejoiced when he Rose from the dead Eastern Europe s Long coerced and silenced millions lurched Forth into the exhilarating yet bewilderingly unfamiliar Light of new Freedom. Quot we Are like children waking from a Nightmare in the Middle of the night Quot Emilian Mercan a member of the hastily formed provisional government of Carisoza Romania said after the mid december collapse of the harsh Ceausescu regime. Quot All we want is reassurance that it wont happen  gradually the countries of Eastern Europe Are permitting such gifts to the spirit As the freedoms to speak out assemble organize and vote. But the Daybreak atmosphere like life itself is loaded with risk and uncertainty. Quot it happened so quickly Quot said Petar Darlies a bulgarian imprisoned for nine years who at 74 is helping plan the country s first multiparty elections in 45 years scheduled for june. Quot the hard part starts  it is Quot a Peculiar drama which no earthling could have written Quot said previously imprisoned playwright Vaclav Havel chosen to be Czechoslovakia s president by a new parliament in december. General elections Are set for june 8. Of the times before the crucifixion the apostle Paul wrote Quot we know that the whole world has been groaning in Travail until  for much of the 20th Century the Globe has been groaning caught in a tightening nuclear stranglehold with no apparent Way to escape. But the metamorphosis provided by Christ has come in a different order for nations. Writing after Christ Rose from the Tomb Paul said Quot so then you Are no longer strangers and sojourners but fellow citizens and members of the household of god. Quot the Pace and scope of the changes have left statesmen and pundits groping for reasons scrambling to adjust to the transfigured scene. They came in such a mounting Crescendo As to seem almost sheer revelation. Quot one sees evidence of divine Providence in human events like this Quot said Church historian Robert t. Handy. Quot who could have thought it would happen Quot Handy historian emeritus of new York s Union theological Seminary said he was Quot worried about a backlash. We re still dealing with  but he cited Church involvement in Eastern Europe s Reform movements in saying Quot the ferment for Freedom has always been very Strong in the jewish Christian tradition. It boils up again and again and has throughout history. It can be put Down but it boils up again. Quot the hand of god can be seen in these developments Quot Handy added. Quot god does work in  so do people what scripture Calls god s co workers. Jesus in giving up his life for a greater one at easter said people would have to endure oppression and pain but a better time beckoned. Quot you will be sorrowful Quot he said before his death at the hands of an occupation military regime that dominated a subjugated people. Quot but your sorrow will turn into  saturday april 14, 1990 the stars and stripes a a a Page 13