Russian Society and the Orthodox Church Religion in Russia after Communism [Paperback]

Russian Society and the Orthodox Churchexamines the Russian Orthodox Church's social and political role and its relationship to civil society in post-Communist Russia. It shows how Orthodox prelates, clergy and laity have shaped Russians' attitudes towards religious and ideological pluralism, which in turn have influenced the ways in which Russians understand civil society, including those of its features - pluralism and freedom of conscience - that are essential for a functioning democracy. It shows how the official church, including the Moscow Patriarchate, has impeded the development of civil society, while on the other hand the non-official church, including nonconformist clergy and lay activists, has promoted concepts central to civil society.Introduction 1. Civil Society, Religion and Politics: The Post-Soviet Context 2. A 'Usable Past'? Russian Orthodoxy and Civil Society In The Soviet Union 3. 'Unofficial' Orthodoxy, Religious Pluralism, and Civil Society 4. Symphonia, The Moscow Patriarchate, and The State 5. Orthodoxy, Russian Nationalism and Civil Society 6. Prelates and Pluralism: The Moscow Patriarchate and Civil Society Conclusion BibliographyZoe Knoxis a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Centre for European Studies at Monash University, Melbourne. Her research interests include Russian Orthodoxy and democracy; the Orthodox Church and Russian national identity; religion and post-Soviet nationalism; and religion and national identity in postcommunist states.