Leiden University Student Repository

Heemskerk, Erik (2017)

Blessed are the Peacemakers: The Role of the Orthodox Churches in the Russian-Georgian Conflict

Master thesis | International Relations (MA)

The 2008 war between Russia and Georgia led to the lowest point in the two countries relationships in the post-Soviet history. In both countries the state and the Orthodox Church work closely together in a so-called symphony model. During and after the 2008 war the Orthodox churches of both countries remained loyal to the state by supporting the position of their state in the conflict, but at the same time condemning the bloodshed (of Orthodox Christians killing one another) and calling for peace. In this thesis the role the Orthodox Churches played in this conflict was analysed. This thesis argues that their influence was significant. Not only did the churches call for peace and maintain positive relations with each other, they also prevented alienation between citizens of the countries by asserting that it was wrong that Orthodox Christians were at war with one another. Together the churches were also the most important way in which diplomatic relations between the countries were...Show moreThe 2008 war between Russia and Georgia led to the lowest point in the two countries relationships in the post-Soviet history. In both countries the state and the Orthodox Church work closely together in a so-called symphony model. During and after the 2008 war the Orthodox churches of both countries remained loyal to the state by supporting the position of their state in the conflict, but at the same time condemning the bloodshed (of Orthodox Christians killing one another) and calling for peace. In this thesis the role the Orthodox Churches played in this conflict was analysed. This thesis argues that their influence was significant. Not only did the churches call for peace and maintain positive relations with each other, they also prevented alienation between citizens of the countries by asserting that it was wrong that Orthodox Christians were at war with one another. Together the churches were also the most important way in which diplomatic relations between the countries were maintained. Finally the influence of the Orthodox Church on all levels of government cannot be underestimated.Show less

Russian Orthodox Church

Orthodox Church of Georgia

Orthodoxy

Russian-Georgian relations

Patriarchs

2008 war

relations church and state

Near Abroad

Abkhazia and South-Ossetia

Symphonia

Author

Heemskerk, Erik

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Specialisation

International Studies

Supervisors

Natermann, Diana

ECTS Credits

10

Language

en