Tag Archives: Russian Orthodoxy

Two “Brothers”: Pope Francis and the Chekist

Cross-posted on the Corner. The Pope’s decision to meet his “brother”, Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill in, delightfully, Havana (you can find some details here of the way that the persecution of Christians has spiked since last year’s Francis-brokered deal between … Continue reading

Posted in politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Russia’s “Military-Ecclesiastical Complex”

Writing in the American Conservative, Philip Jenkins: After the Bolshevik Revolution, the Communist government savagely persecuted the Orthodox Church, killings many thousands of clergy and monastics, and closing the vast majority of churches and monasteries. When Communism fell, the church … Continue reading

Posted in politics, Religion | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Russia’s “Military-Ecclesiastical Complex”

A Coming Clash of Civilizations?

Cross-posted on the Corner. Over at the XX Committee, John Schindler takes a look at what he calls “Putin’s Orthodox Jihad.” Trying to make sense of Putin’s ideology, much of which appears to have been adopted on the hoof as … Continue reading

Posted in politics | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on A Coming Clash of Civilizations?

Against Sauron, Mini-Skirts and Alien/Devil Confusion

Take some superstition, throw in a hint of xenophobia and add a savvy PR touch… USA Today: MOSCOW — Russian fans of the writer J.R.R. Tolkien were disappointed Wednesday after a local art group abandoned plans to install a flaming … Continue reading

Posted in Church & State, politics, Religion | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Once Planned an ‘Orthodox al-Qaeda’, Moved On…

Cross-posted on the Corner: Russia’s fusion of nationalism, Russian Orthodox Christianity and reverence for (heavily sanitized) aspects of the Soviet past continues to evolve in less than reassuring ways BBC: As voters in most of Ukraine prepare to go to … Continue reading

Posted in politics, Religion | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

‘Novorossiya’: A suburb of the Third Rome?

BBC: A senior adviser to rebels in eastern Ukraine has confirmed that extrajudicial killings have been carried out “to prevent chaos”. Igor Druz told the BBC such “executions” sent an important signal to the rest of the rebel forces. He … Continue reading

Posted in politics, Religion | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on ‘Novorossiya’: A suburb of the Third Rome?

Orthodoxy, Autocracy, Nationality (Yet Again)

Cross-posted on the Corner: Here’s Radio Free Europe with a reminder of how “traditional” values are playing out in today’s Russia: The head of the Russian Orthodox Church has awarded Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov with an order for “glory … Continue reading

Posted in Church & State, politics | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Now St. Vladimir?

After Saint Josef, Saint Vladimir?

Posted in politics, Religion | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

St. Josef?

Modern Russia: Estonia’s president Toomas Hendrik Ilves tweets: Syncretism: the amalgamation or attempted amalgamation of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought. Pause to consider the outrage if a similar icon, but bearing the picture of Hitler, had been included … Continue reading

Posted in politics, Religion | Tagged , , | Comments Off on St. Josef?

Putin’s Church

The Aviationist reports: A Tupolev Tu-214SR, used as a communication relay aircraft often dispatched by the Russian Air Force to accompany Putin’s presidential aircraft or other Moscow’s VIPs on their trips, has departed from St. Petersburg and it is currently … Continue reading

Posted in politics, Religion | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments