While Western countries are facing a phenomenon of De-Christianization, Russian Orthodoxy, after almost a century of partial extinction, seems to be reviving with the Russian population on the path...Show moreWhile Western countries are facing a phenomenon of De-Christianization, Russian Orthodoxy, after almost a century of partial extinction, seems to be reviving with the Russian population on the path to Re-Christianization. The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) is playing an active role to claim its privileged and historically-rooted position in Russian society. After the collapse of the USSR and consequently the end of a communist ideology, the Russian population suffered from an identity vacuum. The ROC seized the opportunity to help Russians find their national and cultural identity within Orthodoxy. Thus, introducing religious education in the curriculum appears like a suitable way to inculcate Orthodox traditional values in young elementary students. In 2012, a new program incorporating six modules on ethics and religion was introduced in primary schools in the whole Russia. The parents can choose between the different modules and the second most popular and widespread module is the one dealing with the Russian Orthodox culture. In this thesis, I compare two primary sources, one is a textbook for 4th grade student on the Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture written by Andrei Kuraev (an Orthodox theologian) and the other one is an alphabet called “the polite alphabet” taught to students in primary schools in the Irkutsk region (Siberia). I explore how these two school materials construct a national and cultural identity rooted in Orthodox values by using a multimodal discourse analysis.Show less
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...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
By strengthening linkages with post-Soviet countries and by constructing a wide range of soft-power tools, Russia has tried to block Western influence in the post-Soviet space. The aim of this...Show moreBy strengthening linkages with post-Soviet countries and by constructing a wide range of soft-power tools, Russia has tried to block Western influence in the post-Soviet space. The aim of this thesis is to research how the Russian state and the Russian Orthodox Church are working together to create Orthodox linkages in the post-Soviet state of Moldova, and how they are using Orthodox concepts to promote an Orthodox identity.Show less
The purpose of this research is to shed light on the current attitude of the Russian Orthodox Church towards human rights. The analysis of the Russian Orthodox Church's basic teaching on human...Show moreThe purpose of this research is to shed light on the current attitude of the Russian Orthodox Church towards human rights. The analysis of the Russian Orthodox Church's basic teaching on human dignity freedom and rights, an official church document published in 2008 is central to this research. The content reveals a large difference between the Orthodox Christian world view and the Western liberal world view. Whereas Orthodox Christianity defines freedom as freedom from evil, Western liberalism defines freedom as individual autonomy. Connected to this difference in definition is the rejection of the philosophical foundation of Western society by the Russian Orthodox Church. What motivates the church to oppose liberalism is the protection of Christians in their quest for salvation. Taking into account the opinions of other scholars who have analyzed this document, I conclude that its publication points to a strategy adopted by patriarch Kirill. This strategy can be summarized as seeking to enlarge the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church in society, without doing concessions in terms of dogma.Show less
