Russian Orthodox Church Openly Involved in Russia’s War Effort
The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) no longer hides its involvement in the war against Ukraine, openly supporting the occupying forces and their propaganda.
The Gaze reports on this, referring to the Center for Countering Disinformation.
The latest actions of representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church testify to its deep integration into Russia's military system. Priests of the church participate in the PR of military units, receive equipment from militants “to perform combat tasks” and actively interact with military structures in the occupied territories.
In particular, members of the Bars-Crimea formation reported that they had given Russian Orthodox priest Dmitry Krotov a motorcycle for use in the Kherson region, stating directly that the vehicle would serve military needs. Russian propagandists called such cooperation a “guarantee of victory,” emphasizing the unity of the army and the church.
Dmitry Krotov heads the “military department” of the Crimean Metropolis of the ROC, which oversees cooperation with the Russian army, organizes “humanitarian” deliveries, and sets up dugout churches near the front line. According to the Security Service of Ukraine, he is involved in criminal proceedings for aiding an aggressor state.
In the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, the Russian Orthodox Church is also actively distributing literature that justifies the occupation, denies the existence of the Ukrainian nation, and encourages service in the Russian army. In Melitopol, children's paramilitary organizations are being created with the participation of representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church.
According to the Security Service of Ukraine, more than 1,300 priests of the ROC are on the front lines, often serving as chaplains or special service agents, and the Crimean Metropolis has been found to be supplying drones to the Russian army.
In addition, the Russian Orthodox Church has become an instrument for the militarization of children.
For example, in schools, children are forced to take courses in “Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture” and “Family Studies,” which impose obedience to the state and the idea of “serving the Motherland.” Representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church also create paramilitary children's organizations, where young people are prepared for war under the slogans “For God and Russia.”
Sunday schools conduct “lessons in courage” with veterans, where children are involved in military exercises and narratives about the “fight against Nazism” are promoted in the context of the war against Ukraine. Priests themselves participate in shooting lessons with minors.
Read more on The Gaze: How Russia Twists Religion to Justify War: The Fake Narrative of Persecution in Ukraine