Katin, V. I. Church as the Political Subject (Based on the Example of the Russian Orthodox Church)

Abstract: The author of the article views a debating point about modern Russian Orthodox Church being the political subject. The author describes forms of participation of church in the Russian political process and raises the question about legitimacy of new forms of relations between church and state institution beyond the borders of applicable laws. The article contains the deÞ nition of modern relations between church and state institution in the Russian Federation. As a result of his study, the author makes the following conclusion. Firstly, the study allows to prove the status of church as the political subject. Undoubtedly, Russian Orthodox Church is an active political actor in modern Russia. Secondly, taking into account the ontological nature of church, it should be noted that its participation in the political process and inß uence have very speciÞ c features. Church often participates in the political process indirectly. Thirdly, church’s activity as the political subject mostly depends on particular relations between church and state at the present moment. Fourthly, in the past decade Russia has been demonstrating a growing inß uence of the Russian Orthodox Church on many sides of social and state life. Fifthly, Russian state, its political and government authorities need to legitimize new precedents in relations between church and government taking into account multi-confessional nature of Russia as well as to keep social and religious peace and a politically stable society. The article will be interesting for graduate and post-graduate students studying politics, religious, law and preparing for seminars, tests and exams as well as for college and university teachers preparing for their lectures, guidelines and etc.

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