Scholarly record

STATE FAVORITISM OF RELIGIOUS REVIVAL IN MODERN RUSSIA

G. Lukyanova

Abstract

While Western European societies are undergoing the process of secularization, post-Soviet Russia is demonstrating religious revival. The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) alternatively known as the Moscow Patriarchate is the largest and most influential religious organization in Russia and the largest of the Orthodox churches in the world. According to various polls, approximately three-quarters of Russians identify themselves as Orthodox and ROC consistently occupies the top position in the rankings of trust among social institution. In this paper, I argue that one of the reasons for religious revival and rise of the number of Orthodox-oriented people in modern Russia is state favoritism. The paper focuses on different stages of interactions between the Church and the State. Currently, the system of Church-state relations can be labeled as mutually beneficial. On the one hand, the State is in need of ideological justification of the policy on historical, cultural and religious basis; the ROC, in turn, suggests the theologically-informed vision of unique Russian national identity. On the other hand, promoting significant concepts for the State to ensure the stability of the political regime, the Church receives an incredible, both financial and informational support from the State. Thus, due to unprecedented support from the State ROC stands apart from diverse associations, organizations and the rest of civil society actors.

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