ambivalence. This chapter uncovers hidden mechanisms of exchange in the context of post-Soviet re... more ambivalence. This chapter uncovers hidden mechanisms of exchange in the context of post-Soviet relationships between power and economy: "at times the idea to give donations to the Church seemed to be a feasible way to prevent pressure from the state's side to take responsibility" (198). The afterword by Catherine Wanner ("Multiple Moralities, Multiple Secularisms") synthesizes a set of theoretical conclusions. As she develops the discussion started by Zigon at the beginning of this volume, Wanner reconsiders the term secularism and its specific traits during socialism. This excellent ending to the book reflects on the complex task of anthropology—to study and "translate" religious practices into a secular language. The two introductions and the afterword contribute to the book's coherence, despite the heterogeneous character of the researched cases. The book provides insights into the complex universe of present Russia through the lenses of religion and morality and may be recommended to everyone interested in that subject.
1. Introduction 2. The Bases of the Social Conception and Political Culture: Theory and Practice ... more 1. Introduction 2. The Bases of the Social Conception and Political Culture: Theory and Practice 3. The ROC's Approach to Other Religious Associations: From Tradition and National Identity to 'Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture' 4. The Moscow Patriarchate and the Russian Army: Sharing a Nationalist Vision 5. Political and Religious Challenges to the Moscow Patriarchate in Estonia 6. The Moscow Patriarchate's Defence of its Canonical Territory in Ukraine 7. Church - State Relations in Belarus 8. Conclusion
orthodoxe-kirche-zwischen-patriotismus-und-nationalismus • von Katja Richters Die Autorin ist pro... more orthodoxe-kirche-zwischen-patriotismus-und-nationalismus • von Katja Richters Die Autorin ist promovierte Politikwissenschaftlerin und hat z. Zt. eine Postdoktorandenstelle im Fachbereich Religionswissenschaft an der Universität Erfurt inne.
This paper shines a light on the three Eastern Orthodox churches which are currently operating in... more This paper shines a light on the three Eastern Orthodox churches which are currently operating in the Philippines and asks why it is the Moscow Patriarchate rather than the Ecumenical or Antiochian Patriarchates which is displaying the most significant growth. Using rational choice theory, the paper argues that the Moscow Patriarchate is best placed to capitalise on the opening created by the lack of dynamism in the country’s religious marketplace. This is so because it insists on the strict observance of Orthodox traditions and therefore operates in the strict market niche which is underserved by the country’s majority Catholic church. The paper, however, also finds that it is not only the Moscow Patriarchate’s strictness, but also the financial resources provided by Russian businessmen, which are fuelling its growth.
ABSTRACT The dispute over church property in Estonia became a test of Orthodox influence in post-... more ABSTRACT The dispute over church property in Estonia became a test of Orthodox influence in post-communist Russia.
ABSTRACT The dispute over church property in Estonia became a test of Orthodox influence in post-... more ABSTRACT The dispute over church property in Estonia became a test of Orthodox influence in post-communist Russia.
ambivalence. This chapter uncovers hidden mechanisms of exchange in the context of post-Soviet re... more ambivalence. This chapter uncovers hidden mechanisms of exchange in the context of post-Soviet relationships between power and economy: "at times the idea to give donations to the Church seemed to be a feasible way to prevent pressure from the state's side to take responsibility" (198). The afterword by Catherine Wanner ("Multiple Moralities, Multiple Secularisms") synthesizes a set of theoretical conclusions. As she develops the discussion started by Zigon at the beginning of this volume, Wanner reconsiders the term secularism and its specific traits during socialism. This excellent ending to the book reflects on the complex task of anthropology—to study and "translate" religious practices into a secular language. The two introductions and the afterword contribute to the book's coherence, despite the heterogeneous character of the researched cases. The book provides insights into the complex universe of present Russia through the lenses of religion and morality and may be recommended to everyone interested in that subject.
1. Introduction 2. The Bases of the Social Conception and Political Culture: Theory and Practice ... more 1. Introduction 2. The Bases of the Social Conception and Political Culture: Theory and Practice 3. The ROC's Approach to Other Religious Associations: From Tradition and National Identity to 'Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture' 4. The Moscow Patriarchate and the Russian Army: Sharing a Nationalist Vision 5. Political and Religious Challenges to the Moscow Patriarchate in Estonia 6. The Moscow Patriarchate's Defence of its Canonical Territory in Ukraine 7. Church - State Relations in Belarus 8. Conclusion
orthodoxe-kirche-zwischen-patriotismus-und-nationalismus • von Katja Richters Die Autorin ist pro... more orthodoxe-kirche-zwischen-patriotismus-und-nationalismus • von Katja Richters Die Autorin ist promovierte Politikwissenschaftlerin und hat z. Zt. eine Postdoktorandenstelle im Fachbereich Religionswissenschaft an der Universität Erfurt inne.
This paper shines a light on the three Eastern Orthodox churches which are currently operating in... more This paper shines a light on the three Eastern Orthodox churches which are currently operating in the Philippines and asks why it is the Moscow Patriarchate rather than the Ecumenical or Antiochian Patriarchates which is displaying the most significant growth. Using rational choice theory, the paper argues that the Moscow Patriarchate is best placed to capitalise on the opening created by the lack of dynamism in the country’s religious marketplace. This is so because it insists on the strict observance of Orthodox traditions and therefore operates in the strict market niche which is underserved by the country’s majority Catholic church. The paper, however, also finds that it is not only the Moscow Patriarchate’s strictness, but also the financial resources provided by Russian businessmen, which are fuelling its growth.
ABSTRACT The dispute over church property in Estonia became a test of Orthodox influence in post-... more ABSTRACT The dispute over church property in Estonia became a test of Orthodox influence in post-communist Russia.
ABSTRACT The dispute over church property in Estonia became a test of Orthodox influence in post-... more ABSTRACT The dispute over church property in Estonia became a test of Orthodox influence in post-communist Russia.
In recent years, the Russian Orthodox Church has become a more prominent part of post-Soviet Russ... more In recent years, the Russian Orthodox Church has become a more prominent part of post-Soviet Russia. A number of assumptions exist regarding the Church’s relationship with the Russian state: that the Church has always been dominated by Russia’s secular elites; that the clerics have not sufficiently fought this domination and occasionally failed to act in the Church’s best interest; and that the Church was turned into a Soviet institution during the twentieth century. This book challenges these assumptions. It demonstrates that church-state relations in post-communist Russia can be seen in a much more differentiated way, and that the church is not subservient, very much having its own agenda. Yet at the same time it is sharing the state’s, and Russian society’s nationalist vision.
The book analyses the Russian Orthodox Church’s political culture, focusing on the Putin and Medvedev eras from 2000. It examines the upper echelons of the Moscow Patriarchate in relation to the governing elite and to Russian public opinion, explores the role of the church in the formation of state religious policy, and the church’s role within the Russian military. It discusses how the Moscow Patriarchate is asserting itself in former Soviet republics outside Russia, especially in Estonia, Ukraine and Belarus. It concludes by re-emphasising that, although the church often mirrors the Kremlin’s political preferences, it most definitely acts independently.
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Papers by Katja Richters
The book analyses the Russian Orthodox Church’s political culture, focusing on the Putin and Medvedev eras from 2000. It examines the upper echelons of the Moscow Patriarchate in relation to the governing elite and to Russian public opinion, explores the role of the church in the formation of state religious policy, and the church’s role within the Russian military. It discusses how the Moscow Patriarchate is asserting itself in former Soviet republics outside Russia, especially in Estonia, Ukraine and Belarus. It concludes by re-emphasising that, although the church often mirrors the Kremlin’s political preferences, it most definitely acts independently.