Friday, August 05, 2011

Pope wants a “Holy Alliance” with the Patriarch of Moscow

A huge majority of Russians believe in God: 82% according to a report published by the Public Opinion foundation and Wednesday, a sociological institute associated with the synod of the orthodox Russian church for youth.   

The report has a database of responses gathered during the last few months from 1,500 people from the age of 18 years and older and residing in 44 regions in Russia.

The outcome is very surprising.   

In a country where atheism has been taught for several generations, which has established university faculties and at least one museum dedicated to the topic, and which has tried to spread it in many parts of the world, only 13 interviewees stated that they were definitely atheist, while 5% said they were not sure. Most of the atheists are men (68%), while only 32% are women. 

Atheism seems to be more popular in the lower social classes, namely workers or poor people who do not even have enough to eat.  27% of those who said that they believe in the existence of God do not belong to any organized religion.  

 This was the response of 34% of young people between 18 and 24 years of age and 38% of students.  

4% stated that they are Muslim; there were very few Buddhists, Catholics, Protestants, or Jews.  50% of the believers are Orthodox Christians and most belong to the Russian Orthodox Church.

There are more women (62%) than men (38%) among the orthodox.  40% of the orthodox live in cities of at least 250,000 inhabitants, but in many cases belonging to the patriarchate seems to be associated with ethnic-nationalistic reasons rather than practical reasons. Only 3% stated that they go to church once per week. 

A comparison with other European countries places Russia at the top of religious nations.  According to an Interfax report, 37% are non-believers, while 31% are non-believers in Germany, 34% in Great Britain, and 36% in Belgium.

It is therefore no surprise that the mayor of Moscow, Sergey Sobyanin, recently declared that the program to build 200 new orthodox  churches in Moscow will not be delayed.  

Fifteen building lots have been given to the Russian Orthodox Church, and another five will be allocated shortly.  Construction work has already begun on 80 other lots. 

«Two hundred new churches will not solve the problem, but they will radically change the situation because we will be able to work with the people by providing churches that are within walking distance from where they live» declared Patriarch Kirill.  

If the program is completed, «we will change the religious image of Russia» concluded the head of the Orthodox Church.
 
After years of state atheism, the Moscow Patriarchate now finds itself facing the threat of creeping secularism. «Secularism, like back in the days of the Soviet Union» requires a new alliance with Orthodox Christians to address common challenges. 

The signs that this collaboration is strengthening «can be seen at the diplomatic level, but also in the field», says Jean François Thiry, 44, one of the protagonists of the renewed climate of relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and Catholic Church.   

Dutch, but a “naturalized” Russian culturally if not legally, he is the director of a small publishing house, the “Library of the Spirit”, and began to first print religious books, and then transferred to downtown Moscow, to the 'Pokrovkskye Vorota' cultural centre, becoming a model for the fruitful encounter between faith and society even for the Moscow Patriarchate.

«Since 1993, we have been striving to create opportunities to bring Catholics and Orthodox together» says Thiry  «but in recent years the leaders desire to work together has become clearer, bringing better results». 

John Paul II, who was old and ill, had traveled for miles between throngs of people lining the streets.  

The faithful from the orthodox parishes, waving their flags, the popes in front, were waiting on their knees in the streets next to catholics for the Popemobile to pass.  I always thought that those images, seen at the Moscow Patriarchate, struck the fatal blow to the slim chances of a papal visit to Moscow.

What has clearly changed, continues Thiry, is how the orthodox receive the messages from the Vatican.  

«Just look at how what Benedict XVI says is accepted today with a great affection and a positive attitude from the outset». 

Something that was unthinkable with John Paul II, who  «was neither read nor understood in Russia, perhaps because of our own limits as Catholics, because of prejudice or maybe the timing wasn’t right». 

It was also for the fear that the incredible charisma of the first Slav Pope could instil in orthodox believers. 

I remember the visit to Lviv.