The number of skeletons extracted from the cabinets during the current campaign for the election of the Patriarch is unprecedented for the Russian Orthodox Church. The bets are extremely great - the future archpastor can control the church for decades, which makes his peers extremely doubtful to the patriarchate. In the election struggle, the corporate nature, traditionally characteristic of the church, is thrown back, for it protects it from discrediting in the eyes of society.

On January 23, the Duma adopted in the third reading a bill according to which no one will be able to pay a cash deposit in any elections. This idea was previously expressed in an address by President Dmitry Medvedev to the Federal Assembly. The zeal with which the deputies abolished the electoral deposit at more and more levels is remarkable: in the first reading it was supposed to be abolished only at the federal level, and already in the second a complete ban was introduced at all levels.

Around Russia Grandfather Masai and Muzungs. Part 2 January 23, 2009 Dmitry Oreshkin “Our tribe is happy to welcome his traveling brothers,” the leader of the Masai village begins with dignity. More precisely, the son of the leader - as Peter later explained to us. Apparently, the leader himself, having estimated the mediocre status of visitors from afar, was too lazy to change into fluff and feathers. - We are ready to show the guests all the unique secrets of our natural life.

The election of the Patriarch is an important STATE event. Because (you can’t help but gain style...), the Russian Orthodox Church is the most important State, even STATE-FORMING, institution. Moreover: this whole story is almost the only important ELECTION in the country, i.e. a procedure with no known outcome. Competition, “mutual outpouring of slop” (Dostoevsky), repurchase and pumping of votes... Life. All this is understandable - a lot of power/money is shared.

Without any doubt, the main event of the past week was the inauguration of the new American president. And it so happened that I watched this ceremony twice. Both times on TV.