Russia’s Putin says Eastern Orthodox Church should have more control over Russian life

Revelation 13:2  – The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.

SOURCE AP – President Vladimir Putin has said the Orthodox Church should be given more say over family life, education and the armed forces in Russia, as he celebrated the leadership of its head Patriarch Kirill.

Faith runs deep in Russia after the fall of the officially atheist Soviet Union. Putin has looked to the largest religion in Russia for support since he began his third term as president after a wave of protests against his rule.

He has also tried to mix spirituality with his own brand of patriotism in order to unify the officially secular country, where ethnic and political fault lines are beginning to show.

“At the heart of all Russia’s victories and achievements are patriotism, faith and strength of spirit,” Putin said last Friday in the Kremlin’s gold encrusted Alexeyevsky hall, celebrating the fourth anniversary of Kirill’s accession as patriarch.

LINKS:

1. AP – Orthodox Church should have more control over Russian life: Putin
2. A Crackdown on Russian Protestants  – The Russian Orthodox Church has endorsed President Vladimir V. Putin, and the government has in turn suppressed Protestants.
3. The New Orthodoxy – The Kremlin’s surrogates have turned the Russian Orthodox Church into a de facto official religion.