Orthodox Church Research Articles

Русская Зарубежная Церковь и начало «Свободной Церкви» (1990–1995 гг.)

The article is devoted to the history of the creation of a non–canonical structure by the Russian Church Abroad - the so-called "Russian Orthodox Free Church" (ROSC). The article explores the reasons why the ROCOR in 1990, instead of reconciliation with the Moscow Patriarchate, went to confrontation, creating dioceses on its canonical territory. The reasons why the Russian Orthodox Church did not become popular in the Orthodox environment and was marginalized at the very beginning of the 1990s are also being investigated. The reasons for the conflict between this structure and the ROCOR leadership are also considered. Based on documents and materials, as well as the periodicals of the ROCOR and the Russian Orthodox Church, it is concluded that the reason for the failure of the "Free Church" was, first of all, the misunderstanding of the leadership of the Church Abroad of Russian realities, groundless confidence that the Russian population will massively move to a new structure. Among other reasons is the impoverishment of the spiritual and intellectual forces of the ROCOR, confident in the success of the new project. The result was an unsuccessful personnel policy, the admission of far from the best representatives of the clergy to the Russian Orthodox Church. In parallel with the problems that began, representatives of the Russian Church Abroad began to understand that its "return" to its homeland should take place not through the creation of a non-canonical parallel "Church", but through dialogue.

Новые типы епархиальных духовно-учебных заведений в Российской империи в начале ХХ века

The article is devoted to the topic of additional diocesan educational institutions in the system of spiritual educational institutions of the Russian Empire. The crisis of spiritual education, which appeared at the turn of the XIX–XX centuries, intensified by the revolutionary events of 1905-1907, caused a heated debate in the public and church environment about the upcoming reform. The paper examines the causes and patterns of the emergence of new schools and courses at the local level, which preceded the legislative formalization of innovations, their integration into the existing state system of spiritual education. A special place in the article is given to trends in women's spiritual education: the creation of local theological schools alternative to diocesan women's schools, which preceded the reorganization of educational institutions for girls under the management of the Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church. The article attempts to study the emergence of local diocesan educational institutions not only as separate events in the life of the dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church. The article attempts to study the emergence of local di-ocesan educational institutions not only as separate events in the life of the dioceses of the Russian Orthodox Church. A generalized view of new educational institutions in the context of social and social phenomena makes it possible to see the relationship of additional schools with the transformations of the theological school after 1917.

«Умелое слово» священника А. В. Анисимова: из истории русской духовной миссии в Иерусалиме во 2-й пол. 1880-х гг.

The article characterises the educational activities of the visiting employee of the Russian Spiritual Mission in Jerusalem, priest Alexander Vasilyevich Anisimov in 1887–1889. It describes the main facts of his biography and shows that prior to his appointment to Jerusalem he had had close contacts with the Holy Land as a pilgrim and spiritual writer. The position of a visiting employee established on the initiative and with financial support of the Orthodox Palestine Society, was associated with the need to accompany Russian pilgrims during their trips to Holy Places, to hold cultural and educational lectures (Palestinian readings) in Russian houses in evening time. A. V. Anisimov, who worked under the direct supervision and in collaboration with the head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission, Archimandrite Antonin (Kapustin), successfully coped with his responsibilities and gained love and respect of pilgrims. The readings were devoted to regular Christian holidays, the Sacred history of the Old and New Testaments, the history of the Russian Orthodox Church, various spiritual and moral issues, and were accompanied by a demonstration of pictures and choral singing. The obstacles to the continuation of A. V. Anisimov’s work included health problems, his desire to go beyond the boundaries of his duties, confl icts with the Greek clergy of Jerusalem Patriarchate. It is concluded that A. V. Anisimov’s activities laid the foundation for the Palestine Readings, which at that time were a new form of work and by the mid-20th century gradually transformed into a mass phenomenon, involving millions of Orthodox people throughout Russia.

(Safe) Water as the Condition for Sustainable Development in Light of the Climate Crisis: An Eastern Orthodox Reflection

After reflecting on the issue of (safe) water in the context of SDG 6 with the support of the most recent scientific data, the present study provides clear theological reasoning based on insights developed within the Eastern Orthodox tradition, such as ontological interconnectedness, deep incarnation, and cosmic liturgy towards an eco-ethos which can contribute to sustainable environmental development.

Mediums, Media, and Mediated “Post”-Truth: Baba Vanga in the Russian Imagination

Abstract It is impossible to understand the phenomenon of disinformation without unraveling the more perplexing notion of “truth.” This article explores how a Bulgarian psychic or prophet named Baba Vanga (1911–1996) became one of the most noteworthy mediums of “truth” in twentieth- and twenty-first-century Russian imagination. With Bulgarian-Russian transnational ties as context, we trace how belief in Baba Vanga’s abilities and prophecies was propagated by witnesses via word-of-mouth, newspaper articles, books, TV programming, and the internet. We periodize the ways Vanga secured a place in Russian “truth worlds,” drawing upon both science and religion or a conglomeration of both. We look deeper into the origins and more recent circulation of a purported Vanga prophecy from 1979: namely, that Russia would rise to be the ruler of the world. The dissemination of this message, we argue, is not a Russian state plot to bolster aspirations in Ukraine and its standoff with the West. Instead it has been transmitted in far more fragmented and mediated ways and even countered by the Russian Orthodox Church. A deeper pondering of these mediations of Baba Vanga can help us better understand what we call the “post”-truth world, in which truth is crafted by online “posts.” In contrast to the notion of “post-truth” that posits a dearth of truth, our concept of “post”-truth recognizes that truth is not just in unprecedented excess today but is built through a complex and participatory bricolage that uses science and religion to build shared realities as never before in history.

Positive Influence: Negotiating a Church Historiographical Canon with the West

The present article discusses the way in which the historiographical canon on the history of the Orthodox and Greek Catholic Churches in Transylvania during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries was reconceptualized during and in the aftermath of the academic visit of Western specialists in Romania. Keith Hitchins’s visit to Romania in the early 1970s to undertake research in the church archives for his work on the history of the Romanian intelligentsia in the Austro-Hungarian Empire made an impact on how the history of the Greek Catholic Church was portrayed in the religious journals of the Romanian Orthodox Church. The subtle shifts in the canon included distinguishing the Greek Catholics from the Orthodox in Transylvania and reintroducing the Greek Catholic interwar historiography into the interpretation.

Revival of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (1989-1991)

Revival of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (1989-1991)

Историческая значимость деятельности Иоанна Каподистрии в решении греческого вопроса в первой половине XIX века

The article examines the activities of Ioannis Kapodistrias as an eminent politician and diplomat in the history of Russia and Greece. It analyzes Kapodistrias’ contributions to the national liberation struggle of the Greek people for independence from Ottoman domination. The role of Russia in facilitating Greece’s path to independence is highlighted, alongside an exploration of the leaders of the Greek national liberation movement. The significance of Orthodox faith, indigenous traditions, and culture for the Greek people is also addressed. The research underscores the pivotal role of Ioannis Kapodistrias in fostering relations between the peoples of Greece and Russia, grounded in their shared Orthodox faith and the institution of the Orthodox Church. An examination of archival data, scholarly works, historical literature, and the statements of high-ranking officials from the Russian Federation provides essential groundwork for further study of the personality of Ioannis Kapodistrias, as well as the application of his experiences and insights in the modern geopolitical conjuncture.

Race, Interests, and Perceptions in International Migration: A Review Article

Abstract The field of international migration has largely ignored race. Does the Global North's apparent warm welcome of mostly white Ukrainian Orthodox Christians fleeing Russia's war and its hostility towards black and brown non-Christan Middle Easterners and Africans escaping war and deprivation tell us anything? Although latecomers to the study of international migration, since the 1990s, political scientists have innovated the field of the politics of international migration but few works locate race as a focal point of analysis in either migration politics or international relations. The study of race in international migration in international relations is still rather nascent and centers on the Western world with a focus on how racial differences influence perception of threat, common identities, and even standards of good governance. Andrew Rosenberg's book Undesirable Immigrants: Why Racism Persists in International Migration offers a corrective to much of this in his examination of race and international migration from the perspective of international relations. It builds on the work of many critical and traditional scholars with a novel quantitative approach that “seeks to unmask” the issue of racial bias against “non-white migrants” primarily from the Global South. (11)

Approaches of the Greek Catholic Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky to the National and Confessional Issues at the Beginning of the 20th Century

The article examines the approaches of the Greek Catholic Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky to the national and confessional issues at the beginning of the 20th century. Sheptytsky’s views are placed in the context of the views of his contemporaries, both collaborators and figures who had a different national and/or confessional option. Identified through the analysis of the texts of Metropolitan Andrey set of his views on the Christian world and its constituent confessions (Catholics of various rites, Orthodox, especially Russian Orthodox and Old Believers, Protestants) is presented. Certain features of Christian universalism in Sheptytsky’s interpretation are revealed, including the concept of «Christian people» as one of the occurrences of the Christian world at the national level. A conclusion about the most important priority in the activities of Metropolitan Andrey is drawn. It is concluded that the most important priority in the activities of Metropolitan Andrey was the desire to unite all Christians. He had an idea of how this process might develop. The main role was assigned to the Russian Orthodox Church, which, in his opinion, should have realized its unity with the Catholic Church.

Building a New Ideology in the conditions of a Transitional State-Legal System (the Case Study of the Russian Republic in February — October 1917)

The paper presents the author’s point of view regarding the spiritual sphere of Russian society, changes in which were caused by the crisis resulting from the revolutionary events of February 1917, and the related experience of building a new ideology in the conditions of the transitional state law system in the Russian state in March-October 1917. The author, based on the study of a wide range of sources, critically analyzed this experience and made a number of conclusions: such construction in the conditions of permanent spiritual crisis was difficult and it was conditioned by a set of factors, namely, political, socio-economic, cultural-religious, etc. The author’s analysis of this experience was based on the study of a wide range of sources. The state of a state law anomie, that can rightly be considered one of the characteristic features of the transitional state-legal system, was the result of a deep spiritual, religious, ideological, cultural conflict that emerged, starting from the first days of the formation of the «new» Russian state, and the resulting spiritual vacuum and situation of ideological and religious uncertainty. The changing position of the Russian Orthodox Church in relation to the new bourgeois government and its reformist plans due to the political situation also contributed to the deepening of the spiritual crisis in Russian post-revolutionary society. The emphatically indifferent position of the Russian clergy towards the Provisional Government once again emphasized the unpopularity of its decisions in the eyes of society, deprived its projects of ideological support. Thus, this contributed to the loss of the government’s authority among the population. Under such conditions, all attempts of the central government to form a new post-revolutionary bourgeois-republican ideology were unsuccessful.

To the issue of identifying multi-temporal complexes in urban cultural layer (based on excavations of Sophia-Uspensky Cathedral, Tobolsk Kremlin)

The paper describes archaeological complexes identified among materials of the excavations inside Sophia-Uspensky Cathedral in Tobolsk Kremlin. The archaeological works were imposed on the cape. The cape hosted the town, the Kremlin and, later, the residency of the highly placed clergyman. History of these processes is kept as records. It helps compare the processes with archaeological materials and distinguish multi-temporal complexes among them. The excavations revealed traces of an ancient settlement. The settlement dated back to the early Iron Age – early Middle Ages and had existed long before the town was established. The research apparently identifies the cultural layer dated the late 1500s – middle 1600s. This layer refers to the activities of the first Russian settlers in Siberia. The same period applies to discovered burials of the Orthodox Christian cemetery by the wooden Church of Our Savior. The researchers especially highlight layerings and objects from the construction of brick Sophia-Uspensky Cathedral (late 1600s). They reflect the beginning of stone construction in Siberia. In the excavations, the researchers discovered several brick tombs. These tombs were made for burying highly placed clergymen known by their names. The findings and multi-temporal complexes allow to describe main phases of Troitsky cape development. They also show how the status of this territory changed. The archaeological materials are a valuable source of information about the material culture, funeral rites, stone architecture of both the town and the whole vast Siberian region.

Նիկիայի Բ Տիեզերաժողովի (787 թ․) կանոնները. Միջնադարյան հայերեն թարգմանությունը՝ հունարեն բնագրի հետ զուգորդմամբ

The Second Council of Nicaea, which was held in 787 and recognized by the Orthodox Churches that followed the Byzantine tradition and the Western Church (the Roman Catholic and Protestant Churches separated from it) as the Seventh "Ecumenical Council", is of great significance to the history of the church, not only in terms of the study of the dispute over the treatment of images but also from the point of view of the study of issues of canon law and church administration. The 22 canons promulgated by the Council were strictly administrative and prescriptive in nature compared to the canons of previously held Councils. Most likely, this was connected with the desire to restore the ecclesiastical order shaken by the disputes over the images and after them. Therefore, the respective study of the canons of the Second Council of Nicaea seems important, first of all, from the point of view of canon law. This study aims to publish an Armenian translation of the canons of the Council of Nicaea of 787, most probably made in the 13th–14th centuries, along with the Greek original. Such research is relevant not only as a disclosure of the previously unpublished original Armenian text of the canons, but also in the context of clarifying various canonical-legal and administrative concepts of the church and the study of church Councils.

Реализация взаимного страхования «от огня» строений духовного ведомства в России в 1910–1917 годы (по материалам Усть-Сысольского уезда Вологодской губернии)

The paper deals with the study of the pre-revolutionary experience of mutual insurance against fires of real estate of the Russian Orthodox Church. Based on financial and office documents of the Ust-Sysolsk Uyezd of the Vologda province, the process of practical implementation of insurance of buildings of the ecclesiastical department on the principles of reciprocity is recreated. The regulatory framework for mutual insurance was based on the legislative act of 1904, but the insurance assessment of buildings was carried out only in 1910. Information is provided on the structure of insurance documents, cases of fires and payments for damage “from fire” from sources deposited in the funds of the Russian State Historical Archive. By January 1, 1911, diocesan buildings in the Russian Empire were insured for over 800 million rubles, in the Ust-Sysolsk Uyezd – for over 859 thousand rubles. Information on the number of insured buildings and their insurance assessment, the amount of annual premiums and compensations for insurance cases in the Ust-Sysolsk Uyezd is systematized. The analyzed materials made it possible to correlate insurance premiums and insurance business costs, to access both the negative aspects and the benefits of mutual insurance for policyholders. The author comes to the conclusion that the practices of mutual real estate insurance, organized by the Holy Synod, demonstrate valuable experience in finding solutions to eliminate material damage “from fire”, when fire losses were compensated through small contributions. Insurance on the principles of rerciprocity was most important for regional parishes, that did not have large incomes and were often unable to independantly restore destroyed buildings. Due to compensations, it was possible to repair and restore many buildings of the ecclesiastical department. Despite bureaucratic, travel, and clerical expenses for insurance business, the remaining funds allowed to form a “reserve capital”, that performed the function of a reserve fund.

The Stance of the Orthodox Church of Georgia on the Great Christian Union

The Stance of the Orthodox Church of Georgia on the Great Christian Union

RUSSIA’S HYBRID WARFARE IN THE WESTERN BALKANS: GEOPOLITICAL STRATEGIES AND PROXY ACTORS

This paper examines Russia’s hybrid warfare tactics against the Western Balkans, focusing on using direct and indirect methods to exert influence in the region. The study delves into Russia’s strategic use of media manipulation, cyberattacks, and disinformation campaigns, alongside its employment of proxy state and non-state actors such as Serbia, Republika Srpska, and the Serbian Orthodox Church. Leveraging historical, cultural, and religious ties, Russia seeks to destabilize the Western Balkans and prevent closer integration with NATO and the European Union. Special attention is given to the geopolitics of elections, where Russia manipulates electoral processes in countries like Montenegro and North Macedonia to favour pro-Russian or anti-Western political forces. By analyzing key case studies, this paper explores how Russian hybrid warfare exploits regional vulnerabilities—such as ethnic divisions and weak political institutions—while employing tactics of soft power and military cooperation. The findings indicate that Russia’s hybrid warfare, including electoral manipulation, poses a significant threat to regional stability and international security, underscoring the need for strengthened Western engagement to counter Russian influence. This study offers critical insights into the evolving nature of hybrid warfare and its implications for the geopolitical landscape of Southeast Europe.

RUSSIA’S HYBRID WARFARE IN THE WESTERN BALKANS: GEOPOLITICAL STRATEGIES AND PROXY ACTORS

This paper examines Russia’s hybrid warfare tactics against the Western Balkans, focusing on using direct and indirect methods to exert influence in the region. The study delves into Russia’s strategic use of media manipulation, cyberattacks, and disinformation campaigns, alongside its employment of proxy state and non-state actors such as Serbia, Republika Srpska, and the Serbian Orthodox Church. Leveraging historical, cultural, and religious ties, Russia seeks to destabilize the Western Balkans and prevent closer integration with NATO and the European Union. Special attention is given to the geopolitics of elections, where Russia manipulates electoral processes in countries like Montenegro and North Macedonia to favour pro-Russian or anti-Western political forces. By analyzing key case studies, this paper explores how Russian hybrid warfare exploits regional vulnerabilities—such as ethnic divisions and weak political institutions—while employing tactics of soft power and military cooperation. The findings indicate that Russia’s hybrid warfare, including electoral manipulation, poses a significant threat to regional stability and international security, underscoring the need for strengthened Western engagement to counter Russian influence. This study offers critical insights into the evolving nature of hybrid warfare and its implications for the geopolitical landscape of Southeast Europe.

Travelling religion: dynamic processes of Orthodox religious education in Germany

ABSTRACT The Orthodox Church in Germany is characterised by its diaspora situation. Most of the Orthodox Christians are related with at least one other country from Eastern, South-Eastern Europe or the Middle East. This constellation has an impact on Orthodox religious education historically as well as in terms of structure and religious pedagogics. Beyond national backgrounds the curricula consider cultural diversity and a formation of an Eastern identity of a Western Orthodoxy in a fruitful dialogue with the concrete local surrounding. At the same time, it corresponds to the religious education models prescribed by the German federal states, which includes denominational religious education and expectantly forms of denominational cooperation. Orthodox religious education in Germany is characterised by a dynamic process that aims to the Orthodox identity, the contextual surroundings and current challenges.

THE CHURCH HIERARCHY REACTION TO THE CAPTURE OF KAZAN (BASED ON HISTORICAL SOURCES)

Based on the historical literary monuments about the capture of Kazan and the letters of Metropolitan Macarius, the paper analyses the role of the Orthodox Church during the conquest of Kazan. The Church hierarchy, represented by Metropolitan Macarius, expressed support for the military campaign of Tsar Ivan. The Church blessed the Tsar and the army for the battle, prayed for victory, positioning itself as a moral authority. The article shows that the analysis of sources does not provide any reasons for assertions about the significant influence of Church representatives on Tsar Ivan in terms of his foreign policy decisions, in particular on the issue of the campaign against Kazan. The Church participation was expressed (in the political aspect) in the formulation of the religious and ideological justification of the Kazan campaign, which was perceived as the defense of the Orthodox faith from the Muslims.

Competing or completing digital religion: priests’ attitudes toward Ortho-bloggers in Romania

ABSTRACT Religious blogging has gained momentum in the last decade. Extensive research covers the evolution, organization, and activity of online Christian religious bloggers among Catholics, Protestants, and Neo-Protestant groups and most analyses focus on the perspective of bloggers. In this context, limited attention within the literature in English is paid to online Orthodox groups and very little is known about the clergy’s views of the activity of Ortho-bloggers. This article addresses this gap in the literature and aims to explain the attitudes of Orthodox priests toward Ortho-blogging activities. It uses Romania as a case study, due to its Orthodox majority, its strong internet infrastructure, and the online activity of the Orthodox Church. The analysis draws on qualitative methods—semi-structured interviews with Orthodox priests, conducted in January–February 2021. The results indicate that priests have normative attitudes toward Ortho-bloggers and their activities online. The findings have important theoretical and empirical implications for the study of religion and the engagement with new modes of communication in new democracies.