Putin's grip on power under threat as Russian Orthodox churches vow to revolt over war

Express ^ | UPDATED: 15:26, Sat, Apr 16, 2022 | OLI SMITH

[GonzoII]

VLADIMIR PUTIN'S grip on power is under pressure after a huge number of Russian Orthodox churches - one of his strongest bases of support - have turned on the Kremlin and the ongoing war in Ukraine. A growing conflict inside the Russian Orthodox Church over the war in Ukraine could plunge Vladimir Putin into crisis. President Putin counts the Russian Orthodox faith as one of his country's greatest soft powers and has developed a strong personal alliance with the head of the Church, Patriarch Kirill. At the start of the war, Patriarch Kirill even blessed the invasion, turning a military conflict into a "holy war" in the eyes of many Russians. However, a leading religious expert has warned that President Putin's grip on power could be tested as more priests inside the Orthodox Church voice their anger at the war.

The Russian Orthodox Church is facing an exodus of members from its parishes in Ukraine, where it maintains a strong presence.

Dr Sergii Bortnyk, an adviser to the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine, told the BBC that half of the 12,000 parishes from the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine are already discussing breaking away from Moscow…..

[GonzoII]

"BBC Dateline host Shaun Ley said a dissenting group of priests from Russia's Orthodox Church described the invasion as a "fratricidal war".

[pepsionice]

Back around a month ago...Bill O’Reilly spent several minutes talking over the enormous power that the church had in Moscow....if they ever decided that Putin was in the wrong. It would appear the cards are finally being put on the table.

[EEGator]

Every news story from the UK on this war has been speculation or outright propaganda. It could be true, but cry wolf 50 times and people lose faith in the reporting. Hopefully it all ends soon.

[I want the USA back]

Dictators always try to get the churches on their side. Sometimes the churches remember their mission and resist the power of the secular state.