The article reveals the relationship between the Soviet state and the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) in the initial period of World War II on the territory of the Saratov Volga region. The author explores the rapid change in state policy towards the Russian Orthodox Church: from openly hostile to benevolent by the end of 1942. On the analysis of concrete facts, the author identifies the most important reasons for such a transformation. Among them, the author also highlights the mass opening of churches in the occupied territory.