Religious Component in a State’s Foreign Policy. A Case Study of the Russian Orthodox Church
Religious Component in a State’s Foreign Policy. A Case Study of the Russian Orthodox Church

Summary/Abstract: The recent “conservative turn” in Russian politics has raised to new levels the role of spiritual and moral values in political discourse. The partnership formed between the Russian Orthodox Church and the state has also affected Russian foreign policy. Although the Church largely plays a subordinate role in this relationship, it is far from being merely the Kremlin’s tool. This investigation seeks to shed light on the Church’s distinct approach to politics, and show on the basis of what criteria is the co-operative relationship between the state and the Russian Orthodox Church created in Russian conditions and by what means does the Kremlin promote its influence in the Post-Soviet space through the Russian Orthodox Church. In other words, this study shows where it draws the line on cooperation the Russian Orthodox Church with the state. The paper also exposes the role of this Church in the Kremlin foreign policy in the Post-Soviet space and presents specific activities pro-Russian Christian Orthodox Churches under the auspices of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Post-Soviet space.

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