World
January 9, 2025 13:00
amsterdam - The Russian Orthodox Church has been a long-time ally of Vladimir Putin, supporting his actions in Ukraine.
The Russian Orthodox Church has long been a key ally of Putin. Kirill receives both political and financial support from the Russian president in order to spread the faith optimally among the population. However, there is a condition attached. The head of the Russian Orthodox Church must justify Putin's actions and influence society.
Kirill has little trouble with that. Earlier he described the Russian invasion of Ukraine as a struggle against 'western godlessness'. Like Putin, he dreams of a great Russian empire. He sees the war with the neighboring country as a crusade, aiming to prevent 'apostate' Ukraine from drifting too far from Russian culture.
It was no surprise that Putin was welcomed on Tuesday during Kirill's traditional Christmas service at the Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow. Upon arrival, they exchanged three kisses. Nine boxes were placed on a small table. They contained military crosses, intended for 'the best Russian commanders carrying out the most complex tasks during the 'special military operation' to defend the motherland', according to Putin. The awards were blessed by Kirill with holy water.
While this may not have been particularly noteworthy, those who paid close attention could see that the crosses were engraved with Putin's initials. 'I think our troops will be very happy to receive these religious symbols of yours on Christmas Day (celebrated in Russia on January 7th)', Putin reportedly told Kirill according to Euronews.
The blessing was striking, but Kirill probably never doubted it. On Christmas Eve, he said that Putin 'deserves all the support of God for the good work he is doing for Russia', quoted by the French newspaper Le Monde. In recent years, Kirill has also referred to the Russian president several times as 'the miracle of God'.
Putin doesn't have to worry about Kirill's support stopping anytime soon. They seem to agree on almost all topics, whether genuinely or not. Kirill also supports Putin's aversion towards the West. According to the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, powerful countries fear Russia not for its nuclear capabilities, but for a completely different reason. 'They hate us because we follow a different, alternative path of civilized development', Kirill said during Putin's visit to the Christ the Savior Cathedral.
The canonization of the Russian invasion of Ukraine is not a new phenomenon. Many examples can be found in military history. For example, Joseph Stalin was presented as an all-knowing and all-powerful leader in Soviet propaganda. During the crusades (from 1095 to 1291), European Christians were sent on a mission to conquer the 'Holy Land' from the Muslims. Not to mention the numerous historical religious wars in countries like the Netherlands, France, and England.