How russia is legitimizing the involvement of the ROC in the war against Ukraine
Deputies of russia’s state duma plan to grant veteran status to priests of the russian orthodox church (roc) who have spent at least four months in combat zones. According to russian media, the proposed legislative changes have already been supported by both the russian ministry of defense and patriarch kirill of the roc.
▫️ By granting veteran status to civilian priests, the kremlin is formally institutionalizing its military alliance with the roc. This is further evidence that the roc is not an independent religious organization but rather a state-controlled body actively assisting the kremlin in promoting war propaganda and mobilization.
Since the first days of russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the roc has served as one of the main ideological drivers of the armed aggression. The russian church seeks to lure more people into the military by promoting narratives of a “sacred war” for the ideas of the “russkiy mir” and a confrontation with the “spiritless West.”
The Center has previously reported on the key aspects of the roc’s military activities, its ties to the russian armed forces, and its role in legitimizing the kremlin’s criminal actions.
