Russia's Military to Build a Giant Orthodox Christian Cathedral in Moscow

Russian Faith ^ | 9/12/18

[marshmallow]

"The Main Temple of the Armed Forces" -- Russia under Putin has little use for separation of church and state

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation will build the main temple of the Armed Forces in the Patriot Park near Moscow, General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, head of the military department, said at a conference call with the leadership of the Russian Armed Forces today.

"Now, the Russian Defense Ministry is realizing a plan for building the main temple of the Armed Forces in Patriot Park. This idea was approved by the public, state authorities, military administration, the hierarchy and was embodied in the visual concept of the temple complex project," said Army General Sergei Shoigu.

[dfwgator]

I suppose it beats blowing Churches up, like Stalin did.

[ksm1]

I’m okay with this

[CondoleezzaProtege]

The ROC has devolved into a farce, just another act in the Kremlin Circus. Such a shame.

[robowombat]

That one has been rebuilt in all its glory.

[Mrs. Don-o]

I think I know what you mean, but it may not be that simple.

As Americans, we have no history with State Churches since 200+ years ago when religious colonies became secular states.

But Russians mark The Baptism of Rus' --- the mass baptism of the residents of Kiev in 988 as Grand Prince Vladimir accepted Orthodox Christianity --- as the turning point for the introduction of Christianity, not just to Russia as we now know it, but to all the eastern Slavs. It was the beginning of their Faith, their Nation, and their Civilization, all in one.

So they see it from perspective quite different from ours, not translatable to our experience.

It may have elements that are really and truly dodgy. I myself tend to view a church-and-state union as a "false coming of the Kingdom," the state cannibalizing the church. Yes and No. Yes, but much more.

That's why I would never characterize such a vast, complex, ancient and civilization-shaping thing, the collective love and worship of Christ Our Lord, as "just a farce."

[CondoleezzaProtege]

I understand.

If Russia’s leader were someone more...classy and distinguished... than Putin, and the Moscow patriarch someone other than Kirill...I’d respond differently.

Also...if the Russian military weren’t engaged in as much nonsense as they are in Ukraine...

[robowombat]

That is going to be one impressive piece of ecclesiastical architecture.

[ameribbean expat]

Consistent with their culture, but underscores how different we are. America is bottom-up culture, things percolate up and maybe popular support becomes a rolling boil (Trump running for president) and maybe it doesn’t (million man march). Russia is still top-down, and fwiw, the majority seems to like it that way. The only exception I can see would be their literature.

[robowombat]

Correct. Russia is always different. Their history is truly one of exceptionalism. Some of it very dark and not in a good sense of the term. But is is their history and their culture. I wish Americans would get off the ‘Russians’ bad’ meme which is in part a Cold War leftover and in part something the permanent government keep pushing to try and justify Cold War 2 (Lite) to help feather their nests. Russia is not especially the enemy the ragheddis are and China is likely to be in the future.

[CondoleezzaProtege]

I think the Royal Family in England has it right. Particularly in regard to their relationship with the Church of England. How lovely are the Royal Weddings!

Not the Putin mafia circus. Completely robs Orthodoxy of its gravitas and dignity. Too bad the tsar family Putin’s predecessors killed were not always exemplary either.

The British royals are far from perfect but seemed to get their act together when it mattered most and truly serve the people. That’s why they lasted.

[CondoleezzaProtege]

The only people who want to continue the Cold War are in Putin’s circle. It’s HIS predecessors that murdered and maimed the Romanovs. So his attempts to build on that legacy while forcing history itself to grant him church-state legitimacy is proving to be a most idiotic display.

[NRx]

“Also...if the Russian military weren’t engaged in as much nonsense as they are in Ukraine...”

You mean like the CIA?

[Romulus]

That’s your story and you’re sticking to it.

[CondoleezzaProtege]

To add: Putin’s State descends from the Bolsheviks not the Romanovs. He is no prince. It was the tsars who had church-state legitimacy. Not the impostors running the show now.

[CondoleezzaProtege]

Funny, I thought you of all people would know the difference between a Putin and a Romanov.

[robowombat]

I disagree, the Bush League Republicans and the think tank whores and the defense service contractors all wish nothing more than a fake Cold War with Russia so they continue to tap the gusher of federal loot that the Iraq and Afghanistan wars provided them while collecting their kick backs from China to keep the US distracted from its real strategic enemy.

[CondoleezzaProtege]

Royalty.

Pathetic attempt at replacement.

[robowombat]

Not a reply. A cartoon. The death of the royal family of Russia is of some historic interest but of little contemporary importance other than to royalists. Russia seeks allies where it can. Nations have enduring interests not moral attributes. The persistent anti-Russian stance of the Beltway establishment ought be a tipoff that they are playing some long con or that some are just stuck on stupid about Russia. Russia is not the Soviet Union but it probably will be an authoritarian-or quasi authoritarian state for the foreseeable future.

[Marchmain]

“little contemporary importance”?!?

Yes, after all, we are in the century of clods. And they thought the Bolsheviks were brutes.