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Because of its history of religious repression, Russia can lead the rest of the world in a spiritual revival, the American evangelist Billy Graham said Thursday.
The Baptist preacher arrived in Moscow this week in preparation for his first crusade in the former Soviet Union.
"I have a vision for Russia", Graham told reporters. "The greatest need in the world today is spiritual revival".
He added, "The Russian people are prepared to lead that revival more than any other people in the world".
Though Graham has visited Moscow several times, his "Vozrozhdeniye '92", appearances at Olympic Stadium next weekend mark his first ministry to mass audiences here.
Speaking in a velvety deep voice with a slight Texas drawl, Graham, 73, said, "Russia could be on the verge of the greatest religious revival in the history of the Christian faith".
Graham recalled his previous visits to the former Soviet Union, such as his 1959 trip, when he was not allowed to preach.
"They said, they were sony, but that I had the wrong kind of visa". He came as a tourist but had been invited to preach, he said.
In 1982, during the Brezhnev era, Graham did preach in an Orthodox church.
But KGB agents crowded the vestibule and believers were not allowed in.
Graham said he was aware the listeners were from the KGB.
"I was happy that they were there", he said. "They were the type who needed to hear the gospel".
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