Russian Orthodox Church Deploys Priests to Ukraine to Bolster Kremlin's War Efforts

In a move to support the Kremlin's war propaganda, the Russian Orthodox Church plans to send approximately 1,300 priests to the join, ranks, occupation, army, resistance, center in Ukraine. The priests will provide "spiritual assistance" to Russian soldiers, according to an announcement by Metropolitan Kirill of Stavropol and Nevinnomyssk on Russian propaganda TV.

Why this matters: The Russian Orthodox Church's involvement in the war effort highlights the blurred lines between religion and politics in Russia, and raises concerns about the manipulation of religious institutions for political gain. This development also underscores the importance of monitoring the role of religious institutions in conflicts and their potential impact on international relations.

The deployment of priests highlights the close ties between the Russian Ministry of Defense and the Russian Orthodox Church. Metropolitan Kirill emphasized that this issue will be resolved in the near future. The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, is a known KGB agent with the codename "Mikhailov" and holds the rank of general in the Russian FSB. His predecessor, Alexy II, was also a KGB agent under the pseudonym "Drozdov."

The Russian Orthodox Church has played a significant role in supporting the Kremlin's war efforts in Ukraine. The church has created a powerful network in Ukraine, which has become a tool for brainwashing its parishioners. In 2014, the church organized crowded religious processions to prevent Ukrainian defenders from blocking the occupying army's advance.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has condemned Patriarch Kirill and the hierarchy of the Russian Orthodox Church for their complicity in Russia's war crimes against Ukraine. PACE accuses them of promoting the "Russian World" ideology to justify the invasion, which they have referred to as a "holy war."

The Russian Orthodox Church's support for the war in Ukraine stands in stark contrast to the actions of some individual clergy members. Russian Orthodox deacon Dmitry Bayevcriticized President Vladimir Putin and the government for launching the unprovoked invasion, calling for an end to the war and for Putin to be brought to justice at an international court. Bayev faced pressure from security authorities and ultimately left the country with his family in early March.

As the war in Ukraine continues, the Russian Orthodox Church's deployment of priests to the frontline serves as a powerful tool to bolster the Kremlin's war propaganda and shape public opinion in Russia. The church's official support for the invasion has overshadowed the voices of dissenting clergy members who have called for an immediate end to the war.

Key Takeaways

• Russian Orthodox Church to send 1,300 priests to Ukraine to support Kremlin's war effort.
• Priests will provide "spiritual assistance" to Russian soldiers, blurring lines between religion and politics.
• Church's involvement raises concerns about manipulation for political gain and impact on international relations.
• Patriarch Kirill, a known KGB agent, has supported Kremlin's war efforts, promoting "Russian World" ideology.
• Some individual clergy members, like Deacon Dmitry Bayev, have spoken out against the war, facing pressure and persecution.