Christianity In Russia
With the fall of the Soviet Union, freedom of religion has been embraced in Russia, reinvigorating the nation’s Christian faith. From the 1930s to 2000s Russia was predominately an atheistic state, but today its landscape of Christianity is gradually increasing. Since the year 2000, the Russian population has had a more open attitude towards religion, resulting in an increase in religious beliefs and practice, especially within Christianity.
According to a 2012 survey conducted by the Pew Research Centre 71% of the adult population in Russia identify themselves as members of the Russian Orthodox church, the church being the largest of the traditional orthodox churches. The data also shows that Seventh-Day Adventists, Protestants and Roman Catholics represent the second largest religious bloc within the country at 4%, 3% and 2%, respectively.
The Russian Orthodox Church has experienced a strong resurgence in recent years and is counted amongst the three Hussite Orthodox Churches, along with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Its unique religious practices dating back centuries fascinate thousands of tourists annually.
What has propelled this Christian rebirth? Alexander Verkhovsky, director of the SOVA Center for Information and Analysis believes it is the result of the “Soviet legacy – the spiritual vacuum left by the decades of official atheism, which the Orthodox Church was quite successful in filling.”
Other experts, such as Pavel Filonov, a professor and religious theorist at the Russian State Humanitarian University holds a more skeptical opinion, believing that Orthodoxy has merely taken the place of traditional Soviet ideology and although churchgoers doubled between 1991 and 2008, the actual level of commitment to the faith is questionable.
The vibrant culture of the Russian Orthodox Church has been reflected through the performances of choirs, which for a time have been gaining recognition and attention world-wide. Through creative means, such as concerts and symphonies, the choirs have been contributing to the reawakening of a deep faith in the nation.
Despite the fact that Christianity is certainly increasing in influence, not all problems relate to the big religions are being solved, as evidenced in a survey conducted by Russian pollster Levada Center. The results showed that while 44% of Russians pray at least once a year, and almost half of the population observe the main Christian holidays, only 5% of respondents said they attend church weekly, suggesting that the influences of their faith were more of a cultural rather than religious.
Growth of Pentecostalism
The growth of Pentecostalism in Russia has influenced many new believers throughout the country. A study conducted by CJS Ross revealed that there are an estimated 1.3 million people declared as adherents of “charismatic” Christianity or Pentecostalism in Russia. The growth of charismatic Christianity in Russian and the whole of Eastern Europe have been labeled “one of the most remarkable religious movements” of the 20th century according to Walmsley, a religious scholar.
The state of Christianity in Russia has been a long standing topic of debate, with some praising increase in religious activity and others expressing doubt as to its effects on society. Irina Makhovskaya from the Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine however believes that the presence of Christianity in Russia is a powerful stabilizing factor in society, providing ethical norms and a support system for those in need.
Leaders of the Pentecostal movements have their own opposing view of the role of fanatical religion in the political landscape of the nation. They are of the opinion that Russia’s new found Christian faith should be free from moralism and instead charismatic church leadership should aim at “transforming the culture through influencing the powerful in the nation.
Growth of Catholic Churches
The Catholic Church in Russia is experiencing unprecedented growth. Statistics show an increase of churches and parishes of over 39% in the last decade. The influence of Catholic teaching has been growing since the fall of the Soviet Union, when Russian authorities granted permission for the official registration of some Catholic dioceses.
The Catholic Church in Russia is seen as an outsider by many, but with increasing external and internal forces of support, the Catholic Church is now rapidly expanding. On an international level, the arrival of Pope Francis in Moscow was seen by many as a sign of popular approval for the Catholic mission. On a personal level, many Russians are attracted to Catholic teaching because of its emphasis on mercy and its rejection of materialism.
In the current political climate of Russia, it is thought that the experience of Catholics in Russia serves as a beacon of hope. The Catholic church provides the opportunity for many Russians to experience the freedom to worship a high moral and spiritual power, without having to accept any rigid dogma.
In spite of political tension, the Catholic Church has been growing rapidly in recent years, without additional pressure from the state or any other powerful institutions.
Despite its unique status in the religious landscape of Russia, the Catholic Church still plays a significant role in faith-based social work, particularly in areas such as education and health care. Recently, the Catholic Church has opened up activities to support refugees, to assist disaster victims and to provide medical care to those in need.
Relationship of Christianity with Other Religions In Russia
Since the fall of the Soviet Union, various religious groups and governments in Russia have had to learn how to relate to each other. In the past, there were some tensions between Christian churches and minority religions like Islam, but in recent years these have been minimized.
In the early part of the 21st century, the Russian government signed agreements with several Muslim countries in order to allow freedom of speech and worship for minority religions. This agreement has enabled the peaceful coexistence of these different faiths.
The relationship between the Russian government and Christian churches has also grown stronger since the beginning of the millennium. In 2015, the International Alliance for Freedom of Religion and Belief signed a pact with the Russian government which secured the safety of several Christian organizations from persecution or discrimination.
Educational Impact of Christianity
The presence of Christianity in Russia is evident in its educational system. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Christian religious education, as a part of cultural heritage and moral values, has been introduced in the state-run curriculum. This includes the study of fundamental Christian doctrines and ethics within the framework of Russian education and enables students to learn more about the Christian faith.
Christian education provides students with the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the Christian faith, while also providing the tools to form an independent worldview based on Christian ethics and values. In addition, it teaches them the importance of honoring religious traditions and respecting diversity within society.
On top of providing moral and religious education, Christianity has also been credited with positively impacting student performance and grades, as well as providing a strong moral foundation for children and young adults in Russia.
Charitable Impact of Christianity
Christianity in Russia has not only been embraced as a religious entity, but also as a vehicle for charity and philanthropy. The Russian Orthodox Church has an extensive network of charity programs dedicated to helping poor, disadvantaged and vulnerable communities in Russia.
The Church is well-known for its work in providing food, clothing and medical care to those in need. It also has several education initiatives dedicated to helping vulnerable children and young adults. These programs are funded by donations from the Church, as well as from other charitable organisations and individuals.
The impact of Christian charity has also been seen beyond Russia, as Russian Christian organisations have been actively helping those affected by natural disasters and humanitarian crises outside of Russia.
Conclusion
The resurgence of Christianity in Russia is evident not just in the spiritual landscape of the country, but also in its social and cultural spheres. From educational impact to charitable giving, Christianity in Russia is being appreciated for its potential to bring about positive change.
To conclude, it can be said that Christianity in Russia is not only growing, but is also having a positive influence on the nation.
