Putin to Patriarch Kirill: Western culture is based on Christianity

Patriarchs Kirill and Porfirije at a meeting with Putin. Photo: kerpc.ru

On April 22, 2025, during a meeting with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Western culture is based on Christian principles.

Putin commented on the recent statements made by Patriarch Kirill regarding the "demonic" state of morals in the West and pointed out the presence of "spiritual forces" in Europe and North America interested in rapprochement with Russia.

"You mentioned the events unfolding to our west. We are all well aware and have witnessed your meeting with the Pope, who departed from us during these Easter days," Putin addressed Patriarch Kirill.

"This, I believe, also signifies that in the West, there are still individuals, forces – spiritual forces –striving to restore relations and revive spiritual foundations."

These words of Putin were a response to the sharp criticism of Western secular culture voiced by Patriarch Kirill at the same meeting:

"Things that are happening to human morality in the West today – I will say it out loud, there is nothing to be ashamed of – is the work of the devil," said the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church.

"The devil wants the man to not see the difference between good and evil. No difference at all. There is an alternative behaviour. The Church says, 'You shall not do that.' And the word of God says, 'You shall not do that.' However, modern secular culture says, 'Why not? Anyone is free to do what they want to do. It is just a matter of free choice.' This kind of approach destroys the moral foundations of human existence, which can lead to horrible civilisational disasters," he said.

Patriarch Kirill said the Russian Orthodox Church remains one of the bastions of traditional moral values and actively defends them on international platforms.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that, according to the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, "the Pope told his associates – do not set me at odds with Kirill."

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