Is an Orthodox party possible in Russia?

January 11, 2012 Prot. Vsevolod Chaplin initiated a public discussion on whether it is necessary and possible in Russia a Christian (or Orthodox) political party whose name does not there will be indications of confessionality.

Referring to the "Fundamentals of the Social Concept" of the Russian Church, Fr. Vsevolod Chaplin concluded that "there are no obstacles on the part of the Church to the creation of the aforementioned parties”, although the Church will not be able to actively support them and will not be able to bless.

The message was accepted, church leaders and journalists joined the discussion.

Protodeacon Andrei Kuraev believes that “several "Orthodox" parties, that is, parties that uphold Christian values", they “should not speak on behalf of the Church, but they will remind once again that the Church - these are not only priests, but first of all the laity, the church people themselves. At he is convinced that “within the Church, before the revival of the political life, before influencing policy at the national level, there must be a revival of communal life.”

Valery Otstavnykh is completely convinced that the proposal of Archpriest. Vsevolod "a priori contradictory and dangerous, because, firstly, it involves the creation of a structure, which will not receive blessings, and, secondly, will provoke the creation of parties “other traditional religions, confessions (as well as totalitarian sects and cults): Islamic, Adventist, Neo-Protestant, Neo-Pagan, New Age and etc.”

According to sociologist Boris Dubin, the discussion that has unfolded can be related to the fact that "the Church continues to increase its influence on the public life, in particular, on the political. He believes, however, that these "ambitions are not will have real consequences in the form of social actions and movements”, all these are nothing more than “signs that the ROC does not want to remain in the shadow of politics and seeks to assert its influence on all levels of society and government, local and federal."

Journalist Boris Klin recalls that “the Russian Orthodox Church itself does not have any clear political position", but there are "both liberal Westerners, and monarchists, and communists and Nazis”, who “hardly tolerate each other in churches”. IN For this reason, too, the creation of an Orthodox party is hardly possible.

January 17 and 18 2012, the opinions of the Moscow clergy on this issue were published.

Archpriest of the Temple of Cosmas and Damian in Shubin Alexander Kuzin does not support the "idea of ​​creating a religious party", but is convinced that "the Church should have its own representation in all authorities” and “become an influential structure in politics and public life.

Priest of the Baptist Church in Sokolniki, Fr. Oleg Stenyaev names the games "ideological sect" and does not understand " how believers can to be in such an artificial formation. He proposes to "revive elections for estate and zemstvo principles”, which would allow “the estate of the clergy to have their representatives at various levels.

Priest of the Church of St. John of Kronstadt Zhulebine Dimitry Arzumanov believes that “the Christian community is already united in the Church - a perfect and self-sufficient organization" and "create structure parallel to the Church,” is not necessary. “In general, Christians should make the whole society up to the president,” he concluded.

Temple rector Resurrection in Kadashi Fr. Alexander Saltykov believes that creating an analogue of 's the European People Party and based on Christian values ​​and representing Christians of different nationalities and different denominations in the European Parliament ”, is hardly possible in Russia. In his opinion, " it is necessary , rather , to focus on Orthodox representation in all parties than to single out a special party and .

Hegumen Sergius (Rybko), on the contrary, is convinced that the Christian Party is needed and timely – “it will at least to defend the rights of Orthodox people and the Orthodox Church.” "If clergy, according to the canons, cannot participate in political struggle, - reminiscent of the abbot, then the laity can.

The same position was supported by the priest temple svmch. Paraskeva Fridays in Kachalov Andrey Alekseev.

Hieromonk Dimitry (Pershin) recalls that “an Orthodox party cannot and should not express the opinion of the whole Churches - the decisions of the Church are expressed only by the Council, the Synod or the Patriarch. However, in his opinion, “it would be great if if a full-fledged, not dwarf, party of Christian Democrats." “I don’t see anything strange and bad in the fact that some movements can influence to make political decisions based on those ideas of dignity of a person, about his freedom and social responsibility, which are rooted in Christian tradition,” he said.

Archpriest Alexander Borisov, rector temple of Cosmas and Damian in Shubin, considers the creation of Christian parties in Russia is quite possible. "Creation party based primarily on Christian values ​​should be very responsible and balanced step, - warns, however, the priest, - after all if it fails, the Christian idea itself may be discredited.”

Archpriest Maxim Pervozvansky voiced similar concerns: “Political parties are not immune from from mistakes and failures, in addition, in difficult times, the authorities have to make serious decisions that are not enjoy the support of the majority of the population, for example, raising taxes - and if this is done Christian party, then inevitably it will lose supporters, and, therefore, their the Church will also be lost.

Sources

• Novoselova E., Yakovleva E. Politics on Faith: Do We Need Parties Based on Religious Affiliation? // Russian newspaper. 2012. No. 5679. January 16.
• Otstavnykh V. Creation of an Orthodox political party - the path to public schisms // Echo of Moscow. 2012. January 13.
• The Russian Church has a positive attitude towards the idea of ​​creating "Orthodox" parties, but they will not be blessed // Interfax-religion. 2012. January 12.
• The Public Chamber believes that it is impossible to create an "Orthodox" party in Russia // There.
• Chaplin W., prot. Is an "Orthodox"/"Christian" party necessary, is it possible? // Orthodox politics (blog). 2012. January 11.
• Wedge B. There is no such party, and there will not be // Evening Moscow. 2012. January 13.
• Priests on Religion and Politics // Regions.ru. 2012. January 18.
• Does Russia need a Christian party? - Opinions of the clergy // There. 2012. January 17.