2.8K likes. In an “atmosphere of openness,” why has Mr. Putin been the beneficiary for eighteen years of a colossal, Kremlin-organized personality cult—more sophisticated than that of the late, unlamented Mao Zedong, to be sure, but of the same character? Scopri le migliori foto stock e immagini editoriali di attualità di Orthodox Patriarch Kirill su Getty Images. Observers have said the monk’s rebellious actions and now his detention undermine the authority of Patriarch Kirill. Vladimir Putin and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow.jpeg 4,440 × 3,120; 7.9 MB Vladimir Putin 24 November 2000-4.jpg 500 × 334; 93 KB Vladimir Putin 28 December 2000-11.jpg 500 × 334; 188 KB …, I express my gratitude to you for the dialogue we hold together … and for the atmosphere of openness in which our society lives today. So does true ecumenical dialogue. Eight years ago, it was a $39,000 watch -- and a doctored photograph -- that got the head of the Russian Orthodox Church in trouble. George Weigel In an “atmosphere of openness,” why has Mr. Putin been the beneficiary for eighteen years of a colossal, Kremlin-organized personality cult – more sophisticated than that of the late, unlamented Mao Zedong, to be sure, but of the same character? Sign up for EPPC Briefly! * * * President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Your Holiness, we agreed long ago to meet to discuss current matters. Why doesn’t the “atmosphere of openness” in which Russian “society lives today” extend to Alexei Navalny, the brave dissident who was not permitted to run in last month’s presidential election? Putin with Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian church, in 2017. Which is more risky, Calling out Putin or calling out some idiot like Katy Perry? on April 11, 2018. Patriarch Kirill of Russia. Putin has cynically cast himself as the savior of Christian values and the Russian Church leadership has not only acquiesced in, but promoted, that farce. Does the “political practice” rooted in “moral values” to which the patriarch referred include the assassination of Putin’s political opponents, such as Boris Nemtsov? In the dialogue that the Catholic Church conducts with Russian Orthodoxy, perhaps it would be useful to clarify the following points. There is no real indication that Kirill is anything other than a worker for the state. About how the High Priest of the Putin Reich, Patriarch Kirill (he is already a KGB agent Mikhailov) amassed his billions of dollars in speculation in tobacco, alcohol, and oil (exempted from taxes and excise taxes) in the dashing 1990s, how he, the head of the bandit empire of the Russian Orthodox Church, eliminated its competitors, many have already written. Last Dec. 1, after President Vladimir Putin addressed a meeting of the Episcopal Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill concluded his thanks in these cringe-inducing terms: I believe that this openness will be the pledge for the certain success of our Fatherland in the near and distant future. Here in the United States, we’ve seen too much of that among certain evangelical leaders recently. 24:13-25 I grew up attending a small Fundamentalist Bible chapel that believed the Lord’s Supper should be commemorated […]. After years of suffering, Russian Orthodox believers deserve something better than this. While vigorous debate is welcome and encouraged, please note that in the interest of maintaining a civilized and helpful level of discussion, comments containing obscene language or personal attacks—or those that are deemed by the editors to be needlessly combative or inflammatory—will not be published. Full Screen 1 / 3. Always see the latest from George Weigel and other EPPC Scholars. Thank you, Robert, there are people who can think for themselves after all and don’t blindly follow the money or the media. Of course the American Evangelical pastors he is referring to are the one who support President Trump. Orthodoxy in Russia is primarily a cultural phenomenon. On 29 December, when talking to journalists, he said he was opposed to any reforms of a liturgical or doctrinal nature in the Church. Published in George Weigel's weekly column The Catholic Difference What are the “moral values” that inform Putin’s claim that the collapse of the Soviet Union, a murderous tyranny, was the worst geopolitical disaster of the twentieth century? Here in the United States, we’ve seen too much of that among certain evangelical leaders recently. Are you a FSB member, by chance, Mr. Miller or otherwise working for the Russian Federation? For Russian President Vladimir Putin, it will be an occasion to project his country's influence at a … How does it advance “the interests of the people”? Sign up to receive EPPC's free biweekly e-newsletter of selected publications, news, and events. Comments on the website or technical programs? It looks like he has succeded beyond his wildest dreams. Or the recent use of a weapons-grade nerve agent in England against two Russians of whom Putin disapproved? One poster on a Catholic forum actually called Putin a ‘devout follower of Jesus’. The historic meeting between Pope Francis and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill in Cuba will not only be an opportunity to heal one of the oldest divisions in Christianity. The patriarchate of Rome is not in any position to make demands of anything that it does not demand of its own dissident bishops. Click here for more information on donating to CWR. banning obscenities in movies, banning public displays of affection between homosexuals etc. All comments posted at Catholic World Report are moderated. Does the “political practice” rooted in “moral values” to which the Patriarch referred include the assassination of Putin’s political opponents, such as Boris Nemtsov? Does that “continued success” depend on Russian internet trolls and bots sowing discord and confusion (not to mention lies and propaganda) around the world? The installation of Kirill I as the new patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church last month will not end the subordination of the church to the Putin regime. Last December 1, after President Vladimir Putin addressed a meeting of the Episcopal Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill concluded his thanks in these cringe-inducing terms: “There is nothing more serious and important than moral consensus within society. Did the Lord really intend that Mr. Putin be president-for-life and a multi-billionaire to boot? Thank you for your generosity! On 6 December 2008, the day after the death of Patriarch Alexy II, the Russian Holy Synod elected him locum tenens of the Patriarchal throne. How “normal”, really, was the old normal? Is the “lofty mission which the Lord has entrusted” to Mr. Putin a mission-without-end? Wow, was this article needed! Russian Orthodox Church leadership continues to promote Putin's farcical attempt to be a savior of Christian values. The Pope, the Patriarch — and a Little Bit of Putin ... Patriarch Kirill, during a meeting in Havana on Feb. 12, 2016. Or the poisoning with radioactive polonium of Alexander Litvinenko, who tried to shed light on Putin’s secret police thugs? How is that “atmosphere of openness” affected by 24/7 state-sponsored propaganda inside Russia, which depicts Vladimir Putin as the one man who can save the country from Western aggression and domestic traitors? Or the poisoning with radioactive polonium of Alexander Litvinenko, who tried to shed light on Putin’s secret police thugs? Weigel was hoping Hilary Clinton would win. Putin has cynically cast himself as the savior of Christian values and the Russian Church leadership has not only acquiesced in, but promoted, that farce. The annals of sycophancy are, alas, replete with examples of churchmen toadying to political power. I would like to wish you, much esteemed Vladimir Vladimirovich, long years of life, good health, and God’s aid in the lofty mission the Lord has entrusted to you through the will of the people … May the Lord preserve you! Does it mean continued Russian support for the Syrian butcher, Bashar al-Assad? 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