It is interesting to read in the Moscow Times the story that the Patriarch of Moscow, the senior church official in Russia, with the backing of Putin, has interjected himself in the Duma's lawmaking process. The paper states:
"Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill invited the United Russia deputies to his office to voice his angst over EU-backed plans to introduce sex education in Russian schools.
He left the meeting with a promise from the pro-Kremlin party that he would be allowed to preview all legislation considered in the State Duma.
The extraordinary agreement grants the Russian Orthodox Church a privilege not shared by any other religious community in Russia and not even afforded to the Public Chamber, the civil society advisory body that is supposed to have the right to examine pending legislation and influence its outcome.
It raises questions about separation between church and state, which is enshrined in the Constitution, and promises to raise new concerns about the growing clout of the Russian Orthodox Church, which has seen a revival since Vladimir Putin rose to power in 2000. Putin, now prime minister after eight years as president, heads United Russia.
Patriarch Kirill invited two senior United Russia deputies to his office near the Christ the Savior Cathedral on Wednesday to express his worries about the Duma’s ratification of the European Social Charter on May 20."
This is clearly a strong move on the part of the Patriarch to strengthen the Church in Russia. Most westerners do not recognize that the Church in Russia perceives itself to be the sole surviving direct lineage to Peter in Rome. They see the Western Church as having lost that lineage with their multiplicity of Popes and anti Popes. Thus the Patriarch sees himself as the senior most descendant in that line having even survived during the worst of the Stalin times.
This also means that the Church can become a tool of the Government and the quid pro quo is the Government tending to bend to the wishes of the Church. Thus Russia may strangely become a more religious country than any other in the European world.
Imagine Burlesconi taking direction from Benedict on his love life, hardly anything anyone would consider. But in Russia this is a fabric building element of true Russian heritage.
"Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill invited the United Russia deputies to his office to voice his angst over EU-backed plans to introduce sex education in Russian schools.
He left the meeting with a promise from the pro-Kremlin party that he would be allowed to preview all legislation considered in the State Duma.
The extraordinary agreement grants the Russian Orthodox Church a privilege not shared by any other religious community in Russia and not even afforded to the Public Chamber, the civil society advisory body that is supposed to have the right to examine pending legislation and influence its outcome.
It raises questions about separation between church and state, which is enshrined in the Constitution, and promises to raise new concerns about the growing clout of the Russian Orthodox Church, which has seen a revival since Vladimir Putin rose to power in 2000. Putin, now prime minister after eight years as president, heads United Russia.
Patriarch Kirill invited two senior United Russia deputies to his office near the Christ the Savior Cathedral on Wednesday to express his worries about the Duma’s ratification of the European Social Charter on May 20."
This is clearly a strong move on the part of the Patriarch to strengthen the Church in Russia. Most westerners do not recognize that the Church in Russia perceives itself to be the sole surviving direct lineage to Peter in Rome. They see the Western Church as having lost that lineage with their multiplicity of Popes and anti Popes. Thus the Patriarch sees himself as the senior most descendant in that line having even survived during the worst of the Stalin times.
This also means that the Church can become a tool of the Government and the quid pro quo is the Government tending to bend to the wishes of the Church. Thus Russia may strangely become a more religious country than any other in the European world.
Imagine Burlesconi taking direction from Benedict on his love life, hardly anything anyone would consider. But in Russia this is a fabric building element of true Russian heritage.
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