Candles, icons, bells, blessings: the [Russian] Orthodox Church prays for Putin’s success

Prayer service at the Cathedral of the Assumption, after the "enthronement" of Czar Putin. Prayers of the Patriarch of Moscow, joined by those of the Novodevichy Monastery, where the nuns sing psalms 24 hours a day for health for Vladimir Putin.

May 8, 2012

Moscow (AsiaNews) - After a dazzling inauguration ceremony for his new term as president of Russia, Vladimir Putin has received the blessing of Patriarch Kirill, strengthening the link between political power and orthodox religious authorities. The head of the Russian Orthodox Church held a special prayer service for the new president's "health" and "success in government", describing him as the "legitimate leader".

The "Moleben" (prayer service) was held in the Cathedral of the Assumption (see photo), a few steps from the throne room of St. Andrew, where the czars were crowned and where the inauguration of president took place. The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia has expressed his "warmest congratulations to you, Vladimir Vladimirovich, for your election, given that the majority of our people, with wisdom and freedom, have elected you President of the Russian Federation" . Kirill also recalled that the Kremlin is the place "where many of your pious predecessors have taken part in the rituals of prayer to give an ever greater service to their country."

At the inauguration - which many Russians call the "coronation" - all the bells of the Kremlin were rung for the entire ceremony which had been restored just before the occasion.

Putin was president of Russia from 2000 to 2008, given the inability to appear for a third term - after trying unsuccessfully to change the constitution - he passed the baton to Dimitri Medvedev, taking for himself the role of prime minister. Now that he has been elected President, he leaves the post of Prime Minister to Medvedev. His election last December - amid suspicions of fraud - has attracted much criticism and demonstrations. Even the day before his inauguration, May 6, a huge rally of opponents was held, which ended with the arrest of over 400 people. Even yesterday there were 120 new arrests.

Groups of Orthodox priests and believers were united in their criticism of Putin, but Patriarch Kirill, while advising the government to listen to the demands of the demonstrators, has always supported the re-election of Putin, praising him for the support that he always gives to the Church .

On the eve of the inauguration ceremony, Vladimir Putin visited the Novodevichy Monastery, bringing a gift of an ancient icon of the Mother of God accompanied by the abbess of the monastery, Hegumen Marguerite, and the Patriarch Kirill, Putin took part in a procession of the cross and then visited the crypt which contains the baptismal font of holy Prince Vladimir - founder of Christianity in Russia - lighting a candle before the icon of his patron.

The Hegumen Marguerite told the new president in that church, the nuns sing the psalms without 24 hours a day and pray for his health. For his part, Vladimir Vladimirovich said that "without the Russian Orthodox Church it is impossible to imagine a Russian state or Russian culture."

Why don't they stop pretending?

This is what Putin really wants, isn't it?

As well they might. At any minute Putin ... could turn his mercurial wrath on the ROC and it'd be back to the GULAG for THEM, quicker then you can say, "Gospody, pomiluj."

I have no confidence nor belief in the sincerity of his new-found external religiosity. It's easy to light a devotional candle and smooch a thousand hierarchical hands on your way to supervise the firing squad.

I bet one of Vlad the Bad's mottoes is: "Flattery will get you somewhere. Start talking."

Christ is Risen!

Stuart,

I know this is off topic but how accurate is that movie? It was well done, IMHO! What was/is the symbolism of them pouring what appears to be gold coins?

USA News claims that in Russia there were two days of anti-Putin Riots, and that the Police were violent against the crowds--- VIDEOs show that it was the Police who were systematically attacked by "demonstrators" who used flag and sign poles to beat policemen and two or three would attack an officer and tear off his helmet, others organized rock and bottle throwing at helmetless Police! The Videos from the Western News avoid shots that show demonstrators on the attack, only Police retaliation. The Russian News Videos show the ORGANIZED attempt by DEMONSTRATORS to cause RIOTS! ("Pussy Riot" masks are seen in some videos!"
Patriarch Kyrill prayed that God would bless the Russian Land and its People and that the servant of God Vladimir would be wise, just and responsible in his leadership of the Nation.

So folks, keep on believing what the folks over at CNN (Communist News Network), MSNBC and the other leftist American news media keeps spoon feeding you. The mere thought of a Christian Russian Empire rising from the ashes of their failed "worker's paradise" scares the hell out of them!

Alexandr

Poor Russian OSNAZ troops. Heart bleeds. Alexandr, beware what you wish--you may get it.

The coronation scene in Ivan Grozny is a greatly abbreviated representation of the actual coronation ritual (derived from the rite used in Constantinople). And yes, at the end, they did pour coins over his head to symbolize the success and prosperity of his reign. However, Nikolai Cherkosov was much taller and infinitely better looking than even the young Ivan.

From the News Forum header ...

May God bless Russia and its leaders.

I don't understand the hate here! Different countries operate differently, and for what it is worth, the United States and our Presidents are hated the world over even more vehemently than the hate posted here for Putin. Why do we always think that we have the best form of government?

So why do we judge so much? I will take Alexandr's thoughts on the matter since he reads the Russian papers. I know that Russia faces many, many challenges, so a strong leader is needed.

Vladimir Putin is a friend of the Church(and I doubt his sincerity is as fake as sceptics want to believe because his spiritual father is Father Ephraim of Vatopedi, of the Holy Mountain) The Patriarch Kyril of Russia has said that Putin has been 'a miracle' for the Russian Orthodox Church.

The miracles I see of age old and new beautiful churches, monasteries, church schools and other organizations bring tears to my eyes. The saints which are blessing the Russian people, and for which lines and lines of people wait to venerate daily is awesome. For instance, the 'eighth pillar of Russia' (as said by John Krondstadt upon meeting her as a teenager) the saint (reposed 1952) Matrona of Moscow.

Orthodox Greece on the other hand, just voted in an avowed atheist communist and could care less about the Church and if thir leaders are believers. Oh yes, the blessings of the Church upon installing a new prime minster still exist there, but I have never heard of a Greek prime minister who actually has a spiritual father as does Vladimir Putin!

After the unprecedented jail time of Abbot Geronta Ephraim of Vatopedi monastery of the Holy Mountain, all priests and monastics secretly fear that anything can now happen. At a time when the government should be praising the Church for helping suffering people, it threatens the Church with taxes...so by comparing these two Orthodox nations, you can see why I praise Russia's leaders.

I also like that Russia and the other former Soviet nations in that area are rejecting our Western liberal social agendas...They have the backbone to say 'no--these things have no place being proudly displaced in our societies', etc.

Personally, I pray that God will bless Vladimir Putin with courage, good leadership and spiritual discernment, and that He will bless Russia. It is well known on the Holy Mountain by saints reposed recently and those still living that Russia will somehow play into the future of Christianity for the world.

Christ is risen!

Thanks Alice for your moderating post. Yes, Putin is a former KGB chief, and I don't fully trust him. Remember that G Bush I was also a CIA chief (never really trusted him, either.)

But I believe what the Mother of God said about Russian (the East, in general), that it will revive the Faith which is dieing in the West.

I don't know where all these current events are leading, but the fall of the Soviet empire encourages me that God is in charge and hears our prayers. I have more confidence that Russia and the East will be more Christian than the West (maybe they already are.) I pray for Putin and Obama equally.
I'll let you know after our presidential and congressional election if I've changed my mind.

Possibly because, as Christians, we believe in an absolute sense of right and wrong, good and evil?

Frankly, I have given up on our country and the way the world is heading in many, many ways...all I think we can do is pray for God's mercy on devout Christians everywhere.

Amen.

Let's get real, shall we? You're making the kind of invidious comparison that holds up the pristine ideal of a place about which you know little, and compare it with the grubby reality of a place you know well. If we don't allow this sort of thing in the ecumenical dialogue, we shouldn't allow it anywhere else, either.

Now Russian and Eastern Europe are places I have studied for more than thirty years, have actually visited, and write about with some regularity. Do you really want to know what life is like in Russia and Eastern Europe? How well do you think it would hold up against life in this country, or Canada, or Western Europe?

I agree with your sentiments, and share your prayers for both men, although I must admit that I see Obama as a lost cause.