Ukraine: Religion and (geo-)politics: Orthodox split weakens Russia's influence
Five years after the Revolution of Dignity in Ukraine, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople – widely seen as the spiritual leader (primus inter pares) of the Eastern Orthodox world – granted the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) 'autocephaly' on 5 January 2019, formalising a split from the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC). The move follows an intensified Ukrainian campaign to obtain religious independence and thereby reduce the influence of the ROC, which plays a key role in the Kremlin's identity politics in the region. This development could have wide-reaching implications. Such a blow to the ROC undermines the Kremlin's 'soft' spiritual influence. The Kremlin views the development as a question of national security and is unlikely to accept the defeat without resistance. The issue is expected to play a prominent role in the 2019 presidential and parliamentary elections in Ukraine. In a wider context — reflecting Moscow's nexus between geopolitics and religion — the decision of the ROC to sever ties with Constantinople in response to the decision to grant the OCU autocephaly could mark the beginning of a wider rift in the Orthodox world. Moscow appears to be exerting pressure on other Orthodox patriarchates to sever ties with Constantinople.
Briefing
Nadere informatie over dit document
Publicatietype
Auteur
Beleidsterrein
Zoekterm
- communicatie
- cultuur en godsdienst
- desinformatie
- economische geografie
- Europa
- GEOGRAFIE
- geopolitiek
- internationaal recht
- menswetenschappen
- nationale identiteit
- nationale soevereiniteit
- Oekraïne
- OPVOEDING, ONDERWIJS EN COMMUNICATIE
- orthodoxe godsdienst
- politieke geografie
- RECHT
- Rusland
- SOCIALE VRAAGSTUKKEN
- WETENSCHAPPEN