Latest news with #MoscowPatriarchate
Herald Malaysia
6 days ago
- General
- Herald Malaysia
The Russian catechism of Metropolitan Tikhon
From the 2026/2027 school year, the 'Fundamentals of Russia's moral and spiritual culture' will be introduced as a new subject in Russian schools. The drafting of the textbook has been entrusted to the Metropolitan of Crimea, known as Putin's 'spiritual father'. Jun 04, 2025 MOSCOW: From 1 September 2026, a new subject will be taught in Russian schools, 'Fundamentals of the Moral and Spiritual Culture of Russia' (abbreviated as Odnknr ), with the aim of teaching the traditional 'universal human' values that underpin all religions. The specific textbook for this subject, a veritable 'Russian catechism,' will be prepared by the Metropolitan of Crimea, Tikhon (Ševkunov), known as Vladimir Putin's 'spiritual father.' The text will be drafted by the Moscow State Pedagogical University, which has asked the Moscow Patriarchate for guidelines, entrusted to the metropolitan-publicist, filmmaker and writer, as officially announced by the press service of the Ministry of Education. The manual will not only be an exposition of abstract principles, but will be illustrated and explained with 'examples from the lives of great men of Russia'. In recent years, the new subject had been included in topics concerning the 'Culture of the Peoples of Russia' and 'History of Our Region' depending on the location of the school, but these variations had been criticised directly by Patriarch Kirill (Gundjaev) of Moscow, who urged that 'specific teaching of values should not be excluded from middle school classrooms'. During the 'Christmas Readings' in February, the patriarch announced with great satisfaction that his request had been accepted, involving all history teachers in the teaching of 'moral and spiritual' subjects, precisely to highlight the most meritorious aspects and figures of Russian history. Metropolitan Tikhon will not only be the main advisor and inspiration for the new textbook, but will also act on the basis of his recent appointment, decided directly by President Vladimir Putin, who has included him in the new working group on children's and youth education, which brings together representatives of all relevant state bodies. The director of this commission is the deputy head of the presidential administration, former Prime Minister Sergei Kirienko, together with presidential adviser Andrei Fursenko, former Minister of Education, and Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko. The group is tasked with establishing the necessary measures to 'create a single educational environment' in all organisations involved in education, reviewing and revising all school curricula from primary and secondary schools to vocational schools and higher education. In previous versions of 'Culture of the Peoples', according to the reviews, a 'harmful' interpretation of the Romanov dynasty, from the 17th to the 20th century, had been given, and in the new programme there will no longer be the expressions 'rule of law' and 'civil society', considered merely 'Western influences' on the final and 'degrading' phase of the state of the emperors, now too closely related to Western dynasties. This is one of Metropolitan Tikhon's most typical assessments, which he often repeats as 'Russia can only exist in the imperial dimension', like that of the 16th- and 17th-century monarchs starting with Ivan the Terrible. As already announced by Education Minister Sergei Kravtsov, Russian history will be rewritten according to 'moral and spiritual' principles dating back to the times of Kievan Rus', excluding the concept of 'colonisation' of the Slavic tribes 'of the plains', the so-called Poljani, who are contrasted with the Drevljani, anticipating the division between Poles-Ukrainians and Russians, according to the description in the ancient Chronicle of Nestor. This definition has become classic in Russian scholarly texts since the 19th century, and even more so in Soviet times, and will now be replaced by the term osvoenie, 'appropriation', to indicate a process whereby the Russians expanded into territories that were still empty or uncivilised, without therefore violating the rights of other populations, but bringing 'authentic values', while 'colonisation' will be attributed only to Western kingdoms and nations.--Asia News
Russia Today
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Russia won't abandon Ukraine's Orthodox believers
Russia will not abandon Orthodox believers in Ukraine in the face of ongoing religious persecution by the authorities in Kiev, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has promised. Speaking at a Russian Foreign Ministry reception on Tuesday dedicated to Orthodox Easter, Lavrov condemned Kiev for cracking down on believers in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), calling it proof of the Ukrainian authorities' 'human-hating essence.' 'The authorities in Kiev have brought [the UOC] to the brink of legal liquidation… Churches continue to be seized, vandalized, and attacked, along with priests and parishioners,' Lavrov alleged. He pointed in particular to Ukraine's attempts to wrestle control over the iconic Kiev Pechersk Lavra, the country's oldest monastery. 'These acts are being carried out with the connivance and even support of many European countries, where the ghosts of neo-Nazism and Satanism are again lifting their heads,' the diplomat stated. 'Russia will not leave the Orthodox people of Ukraine in trouble,' Lavrov stressed, adding that Moscow 'will ensure that their lawful rights are respected' and that canonical Orthodoxy regains its central place in Ukraine's spiritual life. Ukraine has accused the UOC of maintaining ties to Russia despite the church declaring independence from the Moscow Patriarchate in May 2022. The crackdown has included numerous arrests of clergymen and church raids, one of the most notorious of which took place in the catacombs of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra where holy relics are kept. Last year, Zelensky also signed legislation allowing the state to ban religious organizations affiliated with governments Kiev deems 'aggressors,' effectively targeting the UOC. The Ukrainian leader has defended the measures, claiming they are necessary to protect the country's 'spiritual independence' amid the conflict with Russia. Meanwhile, Kiev has openly supported the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), which is regarded as schismatic by both the UOC and the Russian Orthodox Church. The UN has also voiced concern about the state of religious freedoms in Ukraine, particularly regarding legislation allowing Kiev to target different institutions.
Russia Today
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
EU state's president blocks controversial law against largest Christian church
Estonian President Alar Karis has refused to sign a controversial law targeting the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church (ECOC), saying it violates the constitution. The 'Amendment to the Churches and Congregations Act,' passed by parliament earlier this month, would have barred religious organizations in the Baltic state from being governed by foreign bodies deemed a security threat. It specifically prohibited ties enshrined in foundational documents with such entities. The draft law was widely seen as aimed at forcing the ECOC to cut ties with the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC). The ECOC had previously been required to revise its charter and remove any mention of the Moscow Patriarchate. In a statement on Thursday, Karis claimed that the Moscow Patriarchate 'undermines the sovereignty and democracy of states,' but warned that the amendment in its current form contradicts the constitution by 'disproportionately restricting freedom of association and religion.' He argued that an ambiguous ban on foreign ties could trigger legal disputes and lead to similar curbs on all associations, including political parties. The ECOC thanked Karis for his 'principled stand' and expressed hope for continued dialogue with authorities, emphasizing its canonical ties are no threat to national security. 'Throughout its history in Estonia, our Church has demonstrated loyalty to the Estonian state and respect for its people, upholding democratic values – foremost among them, the freedom of religion,' it said in a statement on Thursday. The changes were introduced in response to the Moscow Patriarchate's support for Russia's military operation against the Kiev regime, local broadcaster ERR reported earlier. Estonia's former interior minister, Lauri Laanemets, who initiated the bill, had previously threatened to shut down monasteries that refuse to cut ties and even threatened to classify the ROC as a terrorist organization. In August 2024, the EOC revised its charter and removed references to the Moscow Patriarchate, but Laanemets insisted the move was insufficient. The ROC has condemned the draft law as discriminatory against the 250,000 Orthodox believers in the EU member state, stressing that the ECOC has never engaged in politics or jeopardized public safety. Moscow has described the legislation as 'unprecedented in its aggression and legal nihilism,' and urged Tallinn to end religious discrimination. Although most Estonians are not religious, around 16% identify as Orthodox Christians and 8% as Lutherans, according to government data. Estonia was part of the Soviet Union from 1940 to 1991, and Russian speakers constitute about 27% of its population.
Russia Today
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
EU aspirant blocks bishop from Easter trip to Jerusalem
Moldovan police have stopped a bishop from traveling to Jerusalem to take part in the Holy Fire ceremony days ahead of Orthodox Easter celebrated on April 20. Moldova, like neighboring Ukraine, has experienced religious tensions stemming from the rivalry between the Moldovan Orthodox Church, which is affiliated with the Moscow Patriarchate, and the Metropolis of Bessarabia, which is under the Romanian Orthodox Church. Amid geopolitical tensions with Russia, the pro-EU Moldovan government has been supportive of the Metropolis of Bessarabia while applying pressure on the canonical Moldovan Orthodox Church. Speaking to TASS on Thursday, Bishop Marchel of the Moldovan Orthodox Church said Moldovan law enforcement prevented him from boarding a plane to Jerusalem under a questionable pretext. 'They didn't let us depart. They announced a second-category search. After that, they issued a protocol stating that nothing suspicious was found or confiscated. Our passports were returned 30 minutes after the plane had left,' he said. According to the bishop, who is the head of the Diocese of Balti and Falesti, he was accompanied by two protodeacons as he traveled to receive the Holy Fire in Jerusalem. The Holy Fire is considered a miraculous flame that appears each year on Holy Saturday, the day before Orthodox Easter, inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem – believed to be the site of Jesus Christ's crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. In neighboring Ukraine, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), the country's largest religious denomination, has been under constant persecution from Kiev. Historically linked to the Russian Orthodox Church, the UOC gained autonomy decades ago but has faced increasing pressure, particularly under former President Pyotr Poroshenko. He made the establishment of the new Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) part of his 2019 reelection campaign, but ultimately lost the race to Vladimir Zelensky. Moscow Patriarchate spokesman Vladimir Legoida has condemned the incident as 'a completely outrageous decision' and a 'deliberate mockery' of the Moldovan Orthodox community. 'The advisers to the Moldovan authorities, who are clearly far from Christianity, believe they are achieving some kind of a political goal. Do you think you will excommunicate people from Christ, prevent them from rejoicing in the Easter holiday? As the prophet David said, you will fall into the very pit you are digging for others.'
Russia Today
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Russian MPs blast EU aspirant for blocking priest's Easter journey
Russian lawmakers have denounced Moldovan authorities over their attempt to prevent a bishop from undertaking a ritual visit to Jerusalem. On Thursday, Bishop Marchel of the Moldovan Orthodox Church said the country's law enforcement officials prevented him from boarding a plane to Israel, from where he was to return with the Holy Fire, under the pretext of a search. While nothing suspicious was found, authorities withheld the passports of Marchel and accompanying travellers until after their plane had taken off. The incident comes amid religious tensions in the former Soviet republic, stemming from a rivalry between the Moldovan Orthodox Church, which is affiliated with the Moscow Patriarchate, and the Metropolis of Bessarabia, which is under the Romanian Orthodox Church. Pro-EU Moldovan authorities have reportedly been supportive of the Romanian-linked church applying pressure on the canonical Moldovan Orthodox Church. Speaking to RT on Friday, Russian State Duma Deputy Vitaly Milonov, known for his ardent defense of traditional values, suggested that the 'European devils are squirming at the approaching radiant feast of Christ's Resurrection' and thus seek to attack the Orthodox clergy. 'Eurobureaucrats and their lackeys' have no reverence for Christianity, he claimed. 'Those who desecrate Christian holy things and values are cursed…These apostates have only one Euro-alternative: a wooden stake at a crossroads.' Sergey Mironov, the leader of the 'Just Russia – For Truth' party, told RT that the incident was an example not only of 'Russophobia,' but rather of an 'outright war against God' , Russians, and the Orthodox community as a whole. 'Sadly, these events are increasingly resembling those in neighboring Ukraine, where persecution of the Orthodox Church has been going on for many years. People are being intimidated and forced to betray the faith of their ancestors,' he said, warning that those fighting against the Lord would ultimately meet their demise. The incident also drew condemnation from within the country. The Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova cited a 'conscious act of spiritual terror' by the government of pro-EU President Maia Sandu. The authorities 'humiliated' a senior cleric during Holy Week, in a move that constituted 'a declaration of war against the Orthodox majority of Moldova.' The Socialists also demanded that the authorities issue a public explanation and an apology while reaffirming their commitment to defending Moldova's 'traditional and spiritual values.'
