Boris Falikov: “Having entered politics, the Orthodox have lost the aura of sacredness, which previously served them as reliable protection”

On June 23, 2014, Gazeta.ru published an article by religious scholar Boris Falikov about the protests of “Orthodox activists” against rock concerts in Novosibirsk, where the concert of the Polish group “Behemoth” was recently disrupted and Marilyn Manson’s performance was postponed .

The author of the article sees the essence of the claims of those fighting against Marilyn Manson “in the fact that he is from America. It is there that the main enemies of Russia are hidden, who are haunted by Russian spirituality.” Protests against heavy rock are purely political, not religious.

By staging a rally against the rock musician, the organizers tried to show that “they are the ones who best carry out Moscow’s general line, and therefore have the right to the most delicious part of the political pie.” Thus, B. Falikov believes, “Orthodox activists” tried to compete with the regional authorities:

“Having shifted from religion to politics, Orthodox patriots began to pose a direct threat to the local political elite. And she, of course, was worried. She doesn't care about any Mansons. But she is not going to share power. Moreover, having openly plunged into politics, the Orthodox have lost the aura of sacredness, which previously served them as reliable protection. And having lost symbolic capital, they have not yet gained political capital.”

The author suggests that “in the future, the struggle over the division of the Kremlin pie between part of the political elite and the church will intensify. And the matter will not be limited to Siberia alone.”

B. Falikov notes that in Moscow, where Marilyn Manson’s performances are scheduled earlier than in Novosibirsk, Orthodox Christians have not yet protested against his arrival: “Either the Russian Orthodox Church decided to show tactical caution, or it doesn’t have time to deal with Ukraine right now.” . Sources

• Falikov B. Tricolors over banners // Gazeta.ru. 2014. June 23.