How Putin Is Using The Orthodox Church To Build His Power (HBO)

Vladimir Putin's victory in last week's Russian presidential elections came as no surprise. Putin has spent much of the past two decades building an enduring and loyal following in Russia, and alliances with some of the country's most powerful institutions — none, perhaps, more important that the Russian Orthodox Church, which has fully embraced his leadership.

It's all part of a dramatic turnaround for the Church, which just 30 years ago was only a marginal force in Russian society. The Soviets had sought to stamp out organized faith, stripping religion from education, arresting clergymen, and ordering the destruction of many of Russia's grand cathedrals, including one, Christ the Savior, that was demolished to make room for a public pool.

But under Putin, the Church has been making a comeback. More than 70% of Russians today identify as Russian Orthodox, up from 30% at the end of the Soviet Union. And huge swaths of land have been transferred back to religious ownership, with thousands of new churches being built or restored -- at a rate of almost three a day, by church figures. And Putin, by building loyalty among the leaders of a cherished institution, has arguably been the greatest beneficiary of this largesse.

VICE News Tonight went to Moscow to ask Church leaders, and experts on the role of religion in society, how the church's resurrection has played into Putin's gambit for everlasting power.

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[naturalcambion]

“Christianity is greatest when it is hated by the world.” St. Ignatius of Antioch

[miladmzz]

Russia please stop getting stronger because Vice news doesn't feel good about it! thank you

[krist-yonnarain]

So basically vox is uncomfortable with the fact that more Russian people are going to church. 🤦‍♂️

[oskarikaadinugroho]

They know the misery of atheistic goverment

[UrtepExela]

Is it strange that the person orthodox russians voted for is helping The Orthodox Church? It sounds right to me.

[MrPeterFranc]

Orthodox Christian here. Not true. The relationship between State and Church has always been like that in orthodox countries. Don’t force your views on us!

[toahordika]

Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered

[omarespinosa]

PUTIN IS NOT USING GOD.!!! GOD IS USING PUTIN.!! ITS A WIN WIN. GOD BLESS.

[monolith]

Omg, they gave the church lands that were illegally confiscated, how threatening! Omg, they're planning on building a church in a park, what an outrage!!!

[matthijscornelissen]

I’m from Holland, I’m Catholic and I’ve such great respect for the Orthodox Church.

[Gabriel-mzfk]

The title should have been " How Putin is using his power to build the Orthodox Church "

[isaacsweilem]

I really like the priest in this video. He’s totally right that Putin is not perfect but is better than anyone since 1917. Vice is trying to smear him like some Putin fanatic and he won’t let them.

Also, that woman acts like she is being persecuted for a small chapel being built across the street at the park. “I have to look at this whenever I go to the park.” It’s like she has to go to the gulag in her description. And how is building a small chapel in a park an expansion of government power?

[PLMilisic]

Total nonsense produced by someone who knows nothing about Orthodoxy.

[SgtAndrewM]

I'm Catholic and i proudly support my orthodox brothers!

[johnspinelli]

As a Catholic from America God Bless the Russian Orthodox Church

[parranoya]

VICE hates Christians. They love the idea that Christianity was suppressed for so long. Notice they seem alarmed like the church is some specter looming on the horizon. If Putin was an atheist they wouldnt care.

[indiavanguardia]

I'm Catholic, but I respect the Orthodox Church and its history.

[thewedge]

Lots of negative, lost and confused people here in the comments who need Jesus. Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." ☦️

[ricmamaddafakka]

that is how you make power moves, by unification with God. #orthodoxbrothers #serbia

[georgemihalopoulos]

This is BS. Long live Russia & Orthodoxy. Orthodoxy will prevail against all its enemies ☦️☦️☦️☦️