State Duma deputy: ROC is one of the most effective institutions of state
Alexander Borodai. Photo: a screenshot of the YouTube channel "Materik TV".
Russian State Duma deputy Alexander Borodai commented for "Materik TV" on the relationship between the Russian Orthodox Church and the state authorities at the World Russian People's Council.
When asked by a journalist whether the state is separate from the Church in Russia today, Borodai replied that it is but only on paper.
"Today the state is formally separated from the Church, but in reality, the Church is getting closer and closer to the state and is becoming one of the most effective social institutions of the state," Borodai said.
He also commented on the words of Patriarch Kirill that people who do not go to church cannot consider themselves Russians in full.
According to Borodai, the "non-Orthodoxy" of such Russians "stems from their distrust of the church hierarchy."
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that the ROC bishop did not rule out that they would "forgive" UOC clerics who "repent".
Read also
Constantinople bishop: If the Church loses its Greek spirit, what will remain?
Archbishop Makarios of the Constantinople Church criticized the rector of an Australian parish for conducting half of the service in English.
Georgian Church Synod to present three candidates for Patriarchal throne
Georgian hierarchs will select candidates for the Patriarchal throne, after which the Extended Council will make the final decision.
Metropolitan Tychikos' lawyers respond to media accusations
The hierarch's lawyers called the television stories targeted harassment.
EU Court: Hungary's law protecting children from LGBT violates legislation
The European Court ruled that Hungary's ban on promoting LGBT ideology among minors contradicts "EU values".
Facts of persecution against UOC included in world's human rights report
The Amnesty International report points to pressure on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and criticism from UN experts.
Pasika activist urges believers to join Uniates if they don't want to go to OCU
Choknadiy called on UOC believers to join the Greek Catholic Church, since they refuse to join the OCU.