The Influence of the Russian Orthodox Church on Russia & Putin — Why It Grew & Where It’s Going

Putin and the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) have been friendly companions, even in the early stages of his tenure as president.

But this was by no means a necessary progression. There were developments along the way that made this communion more intensive and likely. So, I thought it worth analyzing this question in some depth.

And if you enjoy this post, I’ll be sure to write a separate article on Putin’s present utilization of the ROC.

So, what is the place of the ROC in Russian society? And how has Putin used the ROC to legitimize his war in Ukraine?

Let me explain.

Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Unsplash

First, I should say that the ROC is not the primary religious influence in Russia, but it is certainly the most pertinent.

So, let’s address some demographics at the outset here.

Russian religious composition is by no means homogeneous and includes a large Islamic population as well, numbering at about 15 million, as of 2023.

That number is primarily the result of an authoritative study in 2012 by the research center, Arena, which claimed that there were 9.4 million Muslims in Russia, approximating 6.5 percent of the population.