Theory and practice of "political Hesychasm" in Russia in the XXI century Cover Image

Теория и практика «политического исихазма» в России в XXI веке
Theory and practice of "political Hesychasm" in Russia in the XXI century

Author(s): Wojciech Słomski
Subject(s): Politics and religion, Eastern Orthodoxy, Sociology of Religion
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu w Białymstoku
Keywords: church-state relations; Moscow Patriarchate; political hesychasm; Russian Orthodox Church;

Summary/Abstract: The article is devoted to the revival of the so-called “political hesychasm” in the Russian Federation in the 21st century. The keydocument defining the church’s attitude to politics, society and the state is the “Fundamentals of the Social Concept of the RussianOrthodox Church”, adopted at the Church Council in 2000. The purpose of this article is to clarify the conception of “politicalhesychasm” by analyzing the “Fundamentals of the Social Concept” and researches published on the issue, as well as to assess theimplementation of this conception to modern political and social processes, through comparative and component analysis. The Conceptseemed revolutionary for the Russian traditions of relations between church and state. For example, if the state causes citizens to sin,they are called upon to engage in civil disobedience against the sinful state. Participation in government and political activities ispermitted only if these activities do not contradict the Christian faith. However, in practice, as the authoritarian regime in Russiastrengthened, the Moscow Patriarchate, contrary to its social concept, became dependent on the authoritarian regime and beganideologically serving the political authorities, which contradicts not only hesychasm, but also the very essence of Christianity.

  • Issue Year: 2024
  • Issue No: 26
  • Page Range: 157-169
  • Page Count: 13
  • Language: Russian
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