The Kremlin’s Elder How the Russian government fell in love with mysticism The Proekt team, May 29, 2019 Русская версия The Russian leadership, as in the old days, passionately communicates with Orthodox elders. The main one is Elijah (Nozdrin), the Patriarch’s confessor. The authorities expect him not only to heal people, and predict the future, but also to provide real help in maintaining Vladimir Putin’s power.