1. The Relationship between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian Government
The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), also known as the Moscow Patriarch, has
become a major force in the politics of Russia and by association the world. The
Russian Federation is a semi-secular state but is growing closer to its declared state
religion. The increase of influence in recent years has gained significant ground
particularly since the election of a new church leader in 2008. The ROC is an
autonomous eastern orthodox church with around 85 million followers in Russia
alone. The church also claims exclusive jurisdiction over the orthodox churches that
are established in the former members of the USSR.
The head of the church is Patriarch Krill of Moscow and all Russia. He was elected in
2008 and has been described as “radically different from his predecessor (Alexis II)” 1
in his both his style of leading the religion and the content of the administration. This
change is best illustrated with the example of the churches’ influence on the Russian
political stage. Kirill’s message to the Russian people is increasingly nationalist. The
Patriarch often refers to “Holy Rus” and the “Russian Civilisation” in his speeches.
Kirill is also in support of Russia’s current efforts in Syria. He has described Russian
policies against the Islamic State as a “Holy War” and necessary to protect Christians
from terrorism.
However, the Russian government did not always greet the ROC as a comrade. When
the Bolsheviks came to power in 1917, atheism was declared mandatory. During this
period church property was nationalised and members of the clergy were persecuted.
This lasted until 1936 and the invasion of Russia by German troops. As a result of
Hitler’s advance, Stalin introduced freedom of religion under article 124 in the USSR
1 Popkova and Gorenberg (2011) ‘The Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian
Politics’ Russian Politics and Law, 49:1

2. constitution, in an effort to gain mass support for what became known as the Great
Patriotic War.
Since the fall of the USSR, the relationship between the Russian government and the
Russian Orthodox Church has bloomed into an alliance of support. As outlined by
Sebentov, state officials in Russia are often “complicit in granting the ROC privileges
that contradict Russia’s secular constitution”. In return, the ROC backs a number of
government policies. Today, the relations between the two parties are firm and
striving. The some contemporary concerns relate to the introduction of a chaplaincy in
the armed forces, restitution of property and the limitation placed on information on
other faiths. The main focus is on the issue of religion being taught in public schools.
In 2010, Medvedev’s government approved the teaching of ‘orthodox values’ in
public schools. A similar approach can be seen in Ireland. State schools often aid
Catholic Church teachings and facilitate holy sacraments for students. However this is
a contentious issue and changes are being introduced to reduce the priority placed on
religion in Irish classrooms. This is in striking contrast to France, a secular state
where religion has no role in public school classrooms and religious symbols are
prohibited.
The issue of homosexual rights has been met with much more resistance than religion
class. It is a sensitive issue for the Russian population. Stalin criminalised
homosexuality in 1933 and the offence was punishable with up to 5 years
imprisonment and hard labour. The ROC supported this approach and today is still a
fierce opponent to gay rights. Russian law on the matter has progressed. The offence
was decriminalised in 1993. However in 2013, a law concerning the protection of
children from information leading to harm their health and development was amended

3. to encompass “propaganda” promoting “non-traditional sexual relationships”. Such a
law was meet with discontent among members of the gay community.
The most vocal gay rights activists in Russia are the Pussy Rioters. The female punk
rock band made a guerrilla performance at a cathedral in Moscow. The band’s lyrics
included such phrases as ‘Mother of God, Blessed Virgin, Drive out Putin’. As a result
of the unscheduled concert the band members were charged with hooliganism and
received prison sentences.
The Russian government have used the close ties to the Russian Orthodox Church to
their advantage, most notably with relation to the governments’ foreign policy. There
has been increasing coordination in the policies of the Russian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and the ROC’s outreach to its parishes outside of Russia. Kirill outlines the
importance of the churches role in ensuring at least a spiritual unity among orthodox
Christians from Slavic backgrounds2.
However the power of the Russian Orthodox Church is not immune to weakness.
Criticism has pointed out the unstable elements of Kirill’s authority. The Patriarch
rules in an authoritative manner. This combined with rather liberal theological views
has alienated the leader form a large sector of his clergy. In addition to this the
Russian public have begun to question the effects of religion. A poll3 taken in 2015
reported an 18% increase in the amount of people who believe that religion causes
more harm than good for society.
In conclusion, the nexus between the Russian government and the Russian Orthodox
Church is substantial and it is likely to continue in the same manner. However it
cannot be assumed that this will go unchallenged. The Russian population have been
2 Summary of speech made by the Patriarch at the “Address at the Grand Opening of
the Third Assembly of the Russian World”
3 Poll taken by VTSIOM in July 2015

4. more out-spoken regarding matter of governance and it is impossible to ignore the
secular cloud crossing close to Moscow.