The Influence of Structure on the Policy and Rhetoric of the Russian Orthodox Church – Moscow Patriarchate

The ROC-MP has a long and complicated history with Ukraine which has been further highlighted by the 2022 Russo-Ukrainian War. This thesis addresses how changes in the structure and leadership of the Russian Orthodox Church – Moscow Patriarchate (ROC-MP) have affected the rhetoric and policy of the Church towards Ukraine in the period from 2010 to 2022. In order to address these questions, the structure and leadership of the synodal level of the ROC-MP was mapped. Then, issues of the Journal of the Moscow Patriarchate from 2010 to 2013, 2014 and 2022 were analyzed, and excerpts from these issues which addressed Ukraine were coded for rhetorical framework. Changes in senior leadership and synodal structure appear to have caused the ROC-MP to move from a position which sought to highlight the role of the ROC-MP as a uniting force in Russo-Ukrainian relations to one which actively seeks to prosecute war against perceived schismatics within Ukraine. The author theorizes that this has been caused by the removal of moderating voices within senior levels of leadership within the Holy Synod, the creation of new synodal departments which strengthen ties between the ROC-MP and the Russian state, and the defection of Ukrainian parishioners and believers from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. Additionally, this research finds evidence of ROC-MP support for Russia’s filtration camp system, indicating that the ROC-MP may be in violation of international humanitarian laws. The ROC-MP has traded support of Ukrainian parishioners and leaders for increased influence in the Kremlin, leading to mutual legitimation for both the church and state and ideologically justifying both the war and potential war crimes within Ukraine.

Author

• Shostak, Melissa

Language

• en

Keyword

• Ukraine
• Structure
• Russian Orthodox Church
• Patriarch Kirill
• Rhetoric

Date created

• 2023

Type of Work

• Master's Thesis

License

• All rights reserved

Rights statement

• In Copyright

GW Unit

• European & Eurasian Studies

Degree

• M.A.

Advisor

• Laruelle, Marlene

Committee Member(s)

• Purcell, Michael

Persistent URL

•  https://scholarspace.library.gwu.edu/etd/3x816n546