Mikheeva A. —
Russian Orthodox parish in modern Sweden
// Man and Culture. – 2019. – ¹ 6.
– P. 8 - 23.
DOI: 10.25136/2409-8744.2019.6.31598
URL: https://en.e-notabene.ru/ca/article_31598.html
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Abstract: This article is dedicated to studying the role parish of Saint Sergius of Radonezh Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchy in Stockholm in the process of adaptation and integration of the Russian migrants into the new to them society. The author takes into account the context of the modern religious situation in Sweden, including the development of the Russian Orthodox congregations outside Stockholm, as well as the history and current state of the Russian diaspora in the “country of Vikings”. It is analyzed how the determined by the American scholar Charles Hirschman functionalities of religious congregation such as “shelter”, “respectability” and “resources” are being implemented in the parish under review. The experience of the parish of Russian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchy in adaptation of the Russian migrants in Swedish society is explored for the first time; so is the attention given to worship service, choice of singing repertoire in the context of the topic. The conclusion is made that the parish of Saint Sergius of Radonezh plays typical for the religious congregation role in adaptation of migrants of first and second generations. It contributes to socialization, as well as overcoming of frustration, identity crisis, sense of isolation and similar psychological states (through functionalities shelter”, “respectability”, and partially, “resources”). Parishioners and clergy see their mission in preservation of the Russian culture and language: those who left motherland become patriots. This somewhat impedes the integration of the Russian Orthodox migrants into the Swedish society. The uniqueness of the parish of Russian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchy is described in interaction with the people, motherland and worship practice.