Russian Orthodox Church

[Prapor]

You know, right now we are having a lot of arguments about our Church. Some people say that Patriarch Kirill, our... our Pope, so to speak

has fallen from the path of true faith. They point to the fact that the upper echelon of the Church, including the Patriarch himself, are rich, and are increasingly power-hungry.

They have us look at the Patriarch's great personal wealth: his yacht, "Pallada"

one of the most luxurious private vessels in this country, probably number three, after Putin's floating Kremlin, whatever it is actually called; and Roman Abramovich's "Pelorus".

They also ask us to consider that Pavel, the Patriarch of Serbia, for example, travels around by way of public transport; while our Kirill prefers to ride in style

Look, they say, at all these Holy Fathers, preaching about modesty and austersity, and then getting into their BMWs

and Lexuses

But, what I personally think is, the Church is the single greatest provider of moral support in this country. Majority of people, especially rural, but increasingly among urban population as well, when they are having problems in their marriage, or they need some sort of advice about how to find happiness in life, they don't go to psychiatrists, or counsellors, or such, as many of you Westerns do, I understand. No, they go to church. They go to their priest.

Those militant atheists, nostalgic for the Godless Soviet days, are fighting a losing battle IMHO

 

[Prapor]

The Church is everywhere now, be it in the military

or in schools

They bless new babies in birth houses

And people are, indeed, flowing back to their Faith, after decades of Soviet repression

No, the Church is coming back, it is taking back all its former power and glory, whether the atheists like it or not. The atheists will die out anyway: we, faithful people, are having 3 times as many children as they do. We are growing, they cannot even match their death rate. This will be OUR country again, in 10, maybe 20 years :-D

 

[MontyB]

I am sure I have mentioned this before but your nation is a textbook study, you have the wealthy, educated types with few kids and no need for a god and then you have the uneducated masses with a ton of kids all praying for a way out.

Oh and I would be one of those "atheists" that are apparently an endangered species, well to be honest I am more an agnostic as the scientist in me can not entirely discount the existence of a "god or gods" as even though there is no proof one exists there is also no proof one doesn't but given the choice of man's version of a god and atheism I will take atheism any day.

“Religion is the last refuge of human savagery” - Alfred North Whitehead (1861-1947)

 

[Del Boy]

Another great observation, Prapor; you promote understanding and discussion of historic and current issues; the visuals support your propositions so well, interest is held and weighed. More please, your choice.

 

[Prapor]

I am sure I have mentioned this before but your nation is a textbook study, you have the wealthy, educated types with few kids and no need for a god and then you have the uneducated masses with a ton of kids all praying for a way out.

Oh and I would be one of those "atheists" that are apparently an endangered species, well to be honest I am more an agnostic as the scientist in me can not entirely discount the existence of a "god or gods" as even though there is no proof one exists there is also no proof one doesn't but given the choice of man's version of a god and atheism I will take atheism any day.

“Religion is the last refuge of human savagery” - Alfred North Whitehead (1861-1947)

Brothers Aleksei and Dmitry Ananiev

bankers, and also strict adherents of the Orthodox faith. Russia richest family right now (http://www.newsru.com/religy/16may2011/ananiev.html) Donate millions to the Church every year. Aleksei has 3 children, Dmitry - 4.

Another great observation, Prapor; you promote understanding and discussion of historic and current issues; the visuals support your propositions so well, interest is held and weighed. More please, your choice.

Thank you. I try my best

 

[lvcabbie]

Think about this - Communist leaders spent nearly a century trying to eliminate churches of all kinds. Now that they have fallen, what segment of society is blooming? Is it just the Orthodox or churches of all denominations?
One of the reasons why I no longer "belong" to any Christian denomination is exactly for the reasons you show - great riches to the church and its power structure - while the masses suffer in poverty!
Almost like the current mode of royal aristocracy.

 

[Prapor]

Think about this - Communist leaders spent nearly a century trying to eliminate churches of all kinds. Now that they have fallen, what segment of society is blooming? Is it just the Orthodox or churches of all denominations?
One of the reasons why I no longer "belong" to any Christian denomination is exactly for the reasons you show - great riches to the church and its power structure - while the masses suffer in poverty!
Almost like the current mode of royal aristocracy.

Oh, everyone is coming back

Muslims

Buddhists

Even Shamanism, in the North Siberia and in Republic of Tyva

I think it is wonderful, though may prove divisive in the long run...

True about the Church's wealth. However, keep in mind that it is the Church, priests and nuns, who run Children's Homes, alongside their monasteries and churches.

They take children that nobody else wants. Street children, who cannot remember their parents, some that do not even know their real names. Children suffering from mental illness. Children-alcoholics. Children-narcomaniacs.

They take them and raise them to be better.

 

[moonflower]

Prapor, This made my day and I love the photos! Russia is truly blessed to have their faith restored and this makes me happy that people can practice their religions freely in Russia again. I hope that Christianity is spread throughout Russia and the world because more people should know Jesus Christ as our compassionate savior. May Godd Bless you and watch over you, Prapor.

 

[MontyB]

Think about this - Communist leaders spent nearly a century trying to eliminate churches of all kinds. Now that they have fallen, what segment of society is blooming? Is it just the Orthodox or churches of all denominations?
One of the reasons why I no longer "belong" to any Christian denomination is exactly for the reasons you show - great riches to the church and its power structure - while the masses suffer in poverty!
Almost like the current mode of royal aristocracy.

Actually that was the reason my father gave for abandoning the church as well, his experiences of WW2 he said as they went through North Africa, Italy and Europe all you found were destitute people begging for help in towns with no facilities (hospitals, schools etc) but they all had grand cathedrals, churches and mosques.

 

[Padre]

Actually that was the reason my father gave for abandoning the church as well, his experiences of WW2 he said as they went through North Africa, Italy and Europe all you found were destitute people begging for help in towns with no facilities (hospitals, schools etc) but they all had grand cathedrals, churches and mosques.

which were built by the poor and the artistically gifted for the common person to worship in - all for God and future generations. many of them have kitchens out the back supplying soup and sandwhiches for the poor.

 

[MontyB]

which were built by the poor and the artistically gifted for the common person to worship in - all for God and future generations. many of them have kitchens out the back supplying soup and sandwhiches for the poor.

Well I guess soup kitchens are important, wouldnt want the flock starving to death before they are completely fleeced.