In search of ideology: The politics of religion and nationalism in the new Russia (1991-1996)

Nationalities Papers

Volumn 25, Issue 2, 1997, Pages 195-210

  Wozniuk, Vladimir ^a  

^a WESTERN NEW ENGLAND UNIVERSITY   (United States)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

NATIONALISM; POLITICAL IDEOLOGY; RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE;

RUSSIAN FEDERATION;

EID: 0031457435     PISSN: 00905992     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1080/00905999708408499     Document Type: Article

References (99)

1. ITAR-TASS, 12 July 1996. In his book Imagined Communities, Benedict Anderson reflects on the "imagined linkage" of events and ideas that constitute the identity of national communities. See Benedict Anderson, Imagined Communities (London: Verso, 1983).
2. Among the many sources on religious and secular messianism, see for example Robert L. Nichols and Theofanis George Stavrou, Russian Orthodoxy under the Old Regime (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1978); Dimitry Pospielovsky, "The 'Russian Orientation' and the Orthodox Church: From the Early Slavophiles to the 'Neo-Slavophiles' in the USSR," in Pedro Ramet, ed., Religion and Nationalism in Soviet and East European Politics (Durham: Duke University Press, 1989); Robert Tucker, Political Culture and Leadership in Soviet Russia: From Lenin to Gorbachev (New York: Norton, 1987); Darrell Hammer, Russian Nationalism and Soviet Politics (Boulder: Westview, 1989); Vendulka Kubalkova and Albert Cruickshank, Marxism and International Relations (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1989), especially pp. 69-97.
3. Among the many sources on religious and secular messianism, see for example Robert L. Nichols and Theofanis George Stavrou, Russian Orthodoxy under the Old Regime (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1978); Dimitry Pospielovsky, "The 'Russian Orientation' and the Orthodox Church: From the Early Slavophiles to the 'Neo-Slavophiles' in the USSR," in Pedro Ramet, ed., Religion and Nationalism in Soviet and East European Politics (Durham: Duke University Press, 1989); Robert Tucker, Political Culture and Leadership in Soviet Russia: From Lenin to Gorbachev (New York: Norton, 1987); Darrell Hammer, Russian Nationalism and Soviet Politics (Boulder: Westview, 1989); Vendulka Kubalkova and Albert Cruickshank, Marxism and International Relations (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1989), especially pp. 69-97.
4. Among the many sources on religious and secular messianism, see for example Robert L. Nichols and Theofanis George Stavrou, Russian Orthodoxy under the Old Regime (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1978); Dimitry Pospielovsky, "The 'Russian Orientation' and the Orthodox Church: From the Early Slavophiles to the 'Neo-Slavophiles' in the USSR," in Pedro Ramet, ed., Religion and Nationalism in Soviet and East European Politics (Durham: Duke University Press, 1989); Robert Tucker, Political Culture and Leadership in Soviet Russia: From Lenin to Gorbachev (New York: Norton, 1987); Darrell Hammer, Russian Nationalism and Soviet Politics (Boulder: Westview, 1989); Vendulka Kubalkova and Albert Cruickshank, Marxism and International Relations (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1989), especially pp. 69-97.
5. Among the many sources on religious and secular messianism, see for example Robert L. Nichols and Theofanis George Stavrou, Russian Orthodoxy under the Old Regime (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1978); Dimitry Pospielovsky, "The 'Russian Orientation' and the Orthodox Church: From the Early Slavophiles to the 'Neo-Slavophiles' in the USSR," in Pedro Ramet, ed., Religion and Nationalism in Soviet and East European Politics (Durham: Duke University Press, 1989); Robert Tucker, Political Culture and Leadership in Soviet Russia: From Lenin to Gorbachev (New York: Norton, 1987); Darrell Hammer, Russian Nationalism and Soviet Politics (Boulder: Westview, 1989); Vendulka Kubalkova and Albert Cruickshank, Marxism and International Relations (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1989), especially pp. 69-97.
6. Among the many sources on religious and secular messianism, see for example Robert L. Nichols and Theofanis George Stavrou, Russian Orthodoxy under the Old Regime (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1978); Dimitry Pospielovsky, "The 'Russian Orientation' and the Orthodox Church: From the Early Slavophiles to the 'Neo-Slavophiles' in the USSR," in Pedro Ramet, ed., Religion and Nationalism in Soviet and East European Politics (Durham: Duke University Press, 1989); Robert Tucker, Political Culture and Leadership in Soviet Russia: From Lenin to Gorbachev (New York: Norton, 1987); Darrell Hammer, Russian Nationalism and Soviet Politics (Boulder: Westview, 1989); Vendulka Kubalkova and Albert Cruickshank, Marxism and International Relations (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1989), especially pp. 69-97.
7. I have in mind here especially Ukraine, Moldova, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
8. Pospielovsky, ibid.; also see Nikolai Zernov, Russkoe religioznoe vozrozhdenie XX veka (Paris: YMCA Press, 1974) [The Russian Religious Renaissance of the Twentieth Century].
9. Pospielovsky, ibid.; also see Nikolai Zernov, Russkoe religioznoe vozrozhdenie XX veka (Paris: YMCA Press, 1974) [The Russian Religious Renaissance of the Twentieth Century].
10. For a stimulating discussion of "stages" in the development of national consciousness, see Miroslav Hroch, Social Preconditions of National Revival in Europe (New York: Cambridge University Press, 1985).
11. See for example the final section of his last work, Tri Razgovora o voine, progresse, i mire, s kratkoi povest'iu ob Antikhriste s prilozheniiami (St. Peterburg: Trud, 1900) [Three Conversations on War, Progress and Peace, with a Brief Tale about the Antichrist with Addenda].
12. See for example Vladimir S. Solov'ev, "Narodnost' s nravstvennoi tochki zreniia," Vestnik Evropy, January 1895, pp. 354-355 ("Nationality from a Moral Point of View," Messenger of Europe); also see Nravstvennost' i politika, 1883 (Morality and Politics).
13. See for example Vladimir S. Solov'ev, "Narodnost' s nravstvennoi tochki zreniia," Vestnik Evropy, January 1895, pp. 354-355 ("Nationality from a Moral Point of View," Messenger of Europe); also see Nravstvennost' i politika, 1883 (Morality and Politics).
14. See for example Vladimir S. Solov'ev, "Narodnost' s nravstvennoi tochki zreniia," Vestnik Evropy, January 1895, pp. 354-355 ("Nationality from a Moral Point of View," Messenger of Europe); also see Nravstvennost' i politika, 1883 (Morality and Politics).
15. Ibid., "Nationality ...," (my translation).
16. See the discussion in Oxana Antic, "Developments in Church Life," Radio Free Europe-Radio Liberty (RFE-RL) Research Report, 3 January 1992.
17. See for example, Wendy Slater, "The Russian Orthodox Church," RFE-RL Research Report, 14 May 1993.
18. On the KGB at high levels of the Church, see John B. Dunlop, "KGB Subversion of Russian Orthodox Church," RFE-RL Research Report, 20 March 1992. On the process of restoring church credibility, see Oxana Antic, "Orthodox Church Reacts to Criticism of KGB Links," RFE-RL Research Report, 5 June 1992.
19. On the KGB at high levels of the Church, see John B. Dunlop, "KGB Subversion of Russian Orthodox Church," RFE-RL Research Report, 20 March 1992. On the process of restoring church credibility, see Oxana Antic, "Orthodox Church Reacts to Criticism of KGB Links," RFE-RL Research Report, 5 June 1992.
20. See for example, Yuri Ageschev, "From our Mail: Anti-orthodoxy," Literaturnaia Rossiia, 21 August 1992, in Current Digest of the Post-Soviet Press (CDPSP), Vol. 44, No. 36, 7 October 1992, p. 18.
21. "Fear False Prophets," Sovetskaia Rossiia, 29 August 1992. The letter was dated 23 August 1992.
22. M. Yermolayev, "The Pope Destroyed the Soviet Union. Will Cardinal Glemp Destroy Russia?" Literaturnaia Rossiia, 18 August 1992, in CDPSP, Vol. 44, No. 36, 7 October 1992, p. 19.
23. Gennady Vdovin, "Viewpoint: Plus the Clericalization of the Entire Country," Nezavisimaia gazeta, 12 September 1992, in CDPSP, Vol. 44, No. 20, 7 October 1992, p. 20. For a more balanced perspective on protestant missionary work in Russia, see Aleksandr Nezhnii, "A Protestant Works to Revitalize Russia," Izvestiia, 9 September 1992 (also in ibid.).
24. Gennady Vdovin, "Viewpoint: Plus the Clericalization of the Entire Country," Nezavisimaia gazeta, 12 September 1992, in CDPSP, Vol. 44, No. 20, 7 October 1992, p. 20. For a more balanced perspective on protestant missionary work in Russia, see Aleksandr Nezhnii, "A Protestant Works to Revitalize Russia," Izvestiia, 9 September 1992 (also in ibid.).
25. According to Yel'tsin adviser, Sergei Stankevich, in 1994 church influence in State affairs had indeed increased to alarming levels. A. Medvedev, "Orthodox Church Instead of Communist Party," Moscow News, 24 January 1994, p. 6.
26. Julia Wishnevsky, "Shumeiko Proposes New State Ideology," RFE-RL Daily Report, No. 189, 5 October 1994. The interview was conducted on 4 October.
27. Vladimir Socor, "Leadership Consensus on 'Great-Power Patriotism,'" RFE-RL Daily Report, No. 219, 18 November 1994. The meeting took place on 17 November.
28. Arbatov was quoted by the Financial Times, 17 November 1994. See ibid.
29. ITAR-TASS, 4 December 1995, as reported in Anna Paretskaya, "Candidates attend Orthodox Church Conference on Russia's Future," Open Media Research Institute Daily Digest (OMRIDD), No. 235, Part I, 5 December 1995.
30. Ibid. Zhirinovsky might also have been taking a cue from Aleksandr Lukashenko, President of Belarus', who earlier had declared Russian Orthodoxy to be the official religion of that country. On Belarus', See Larisa Sayenkov, "Which Faith Is Better?" Moscow News, 4 August 1995, p. 4.
31. Ibid. Zhirinovsky might also have been taking a cue from Aleksandr Lukashenko, President of Belarus', who earlier had declared Russian Orthodoxy to be the official religion of that country. On Belarus', See Larisa Sayenkov, "Which Faith Is Better?" Moscow News, 4 August 1995, p. 4.
32. ITAR-TASS, 6 November 1994, as reported in Vladimir Socor, "Pan-Orthodox Forum Established," RFE-RL Daily Report, No. 212, 8 November 1994. Representatives attended from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Montenegro, and Greece.
33. Cited in ibid.
34. On Greece's own problems squaring Orthodoxy with rigorous Western European requirements in terms of human rights, see Adamantia Pollis, "Eastern Orthodoxy and Human Rights," Human Rights Quarterly, Vol. 15, No. 2, May 1993, pp. 339-356. Russia was indeed finally admitted to the Council of Europe in January 1996, the Russian Duma ratifying membership in February.
35. Victor Yasmann, "Yeltsin meets with Solzhenitsyn and Aleksii II," RFE-RL Daily Report, No. 219, 18 November 1994.
36. During a 13 March interview with Duma Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Vladimir Lukin on Russian TV. Cited by Laura Belin, "Solzhenitsyn: Russia Becoming a 'Colony' of the West," OMRIDD, No. 53, Part I, 15 March 1995.
37. Ibid. Solzhenitsyn mentioned by name the scientific and cultural grants sponsored by multi-millionaire philanthropist George Soros. See also Thomas Price, "Foreign Missionaries Should be Banned from Russia!" Moscow News, 4 February 1994, p. 6, which outlines earlier similar criticisms.
38. Ibid. Solzhenitsyn mentioned by name the scientific and cultural grants sponsored by multi-millionaire philanthropist George Soros. See also Thomas Price, "Foreign Missionaries Should be Banned from Russia!" Moscow News, 4 February 1994, p. 6, which outlines earlier similar criticisms.
39. Dmitri Shusharin, "Appointment: Render Under Caeser," Segodnya, 28 July 1995, in CDPSP, Vol. 47, No. 31, 30 August 1995, p. 19.
40. Cited in ibid.
41. Ibid. Krasikov's reference was specifically to Vitalii Savitsky's and Vladimir Zhirinovsky's attempts to grant Orthodoxy an "official" standing in the State.
42. Cited in ibid.
43. On its mediating role, see for example Wendy Slater, "The Church's Attempts to Mediate in the Russian Crisis," RFE-RL Research Report, 29 October 1993.
44. Ivan Rodin, "Russian Federation Supreme Soviet Solves Problems of Proselytism," Nezavisimaia gazeta, 15 July 1993, in CDPSP, 11 August 1993, p. 26.
45. Cited in Peggy Morvant, "Yakovlev on Communist Repression of Religion," OMRIDD, No. 230, Part I, 28 November 1995.
46. Ibid.
47. Vladimir Wozniuk, "The Propaganda Campaign for a New Orthodoxy in Soviet Social Science," Political Communication, Vol. 6, No. 3, 1989, pp. 249-268.
48. Izvestiia, 24 October 1995, p. 2.
49. Cited in Robert Orttung, "Muslim Party Denounces Western Influences," OMRI Special Report: Russian Election Survey, 5 December 1995.
50. Ibid.
51. Aleksandr Korolyov, "Lord of Hosts Have Mercy on Us," Trud, 6 December 1994, in CDPSP, 11 January 1995, Vol. 46, No. 50, p. 24.
52. Yuri Feofanov, "The Patriarch's Message to Draftees," Izvestiia, 12 October 1995, p. 1.
53. See also, ITAR-TASS, 10 October 1995, as cited by Constantine Dmitriev, "Patriarch Urges Russian Youth to Join the Service," OMRIDD, No. 198, Part I, 11 October 1995.
54. Izvestiia, ibid.
55. Maksim Sokolov, "The Barbarization of Eastern Orthodoxy," Kommersant Daily, 9 September 1995, in CDPSP, Vol. 47, No. 36, 4 October 1995, p. 22. For an account illustrating this point, see the story about the christening of a submarine, in Sergei Ptichkin, "How a Submarine was Christened," Rossiiskaia gazeta, 5 September 1995, in ibid.
56. Maksim Sokolov, "The Barbarization of Eastern Orthodoxy," Kommersant Daily, 9 September 1995, in CDPSP, Vol. 47, No. 36, 4 October 1995, p. 22. For an account illustrating this point, see the story about the christening of a submarine, in Sergei Ptichkin, "How a Submarine was Christened," Rossiiskaia gazeta, 5 September 1995, in ibid.
57. Ibid, Sokolov.
58. Aleksandr Livshits, economic adviser to Yeltsin. See Christina Freeland, "Church of Christ the Savior is Becoming a Symbol of Russian Capitalism," Finansovaia izvestiia, 29 August 1995, in CDPSP, 4 October 1995, pp. 22-23. Meanwhile, the Russian Capital City Savings Bank had donated many kilograms of Gold for the guilding of the church's domes. See "Gold from Bank for Domes," Rossiskie vesti, 19 August 1995, in ibid.
59. Aleksandr Livshits, economic adviser to Yeltsin. See Christina Freeland, "Church of Christ the Savior is Becoming a Symbol of Russian Capitalism," Finansovaia izvestiia, 29 August 1995, in CDPSP, 4 October 1995, pp. 22-23. Meanwhile, the Russian Capital City Savings Bank had donated many kilograms of Gold for the guilding of the church's domes. See "Gold from Bank for Domes," Rossiskie vesti, 19 August 1995, in ibid.
60. Savitskii was speaking on a radio call-in program on 16 November 1995. See Laura Belin, "Savitskiii Warns of Dangers of 'Immoral' Parliament," OMRIDD, No. 222, Part I, 14 November 1995.
61. Ibid. This situation began to be substantively addressed in early 1996.
62. Ibid.
63. ITAR-TASS, as cited by Constantine Dmitriev, "Federation Council Turns Down Changes to Conscription Law," OMRIDD, No. 246, Part I, 29 December 1995. The key point concerned including exemptions to any draftee with a single parent over 52 years of age.
64. Ivan Rodin, "Russian Federation Supreme Soviet Solves Problem of Proselytism," Nezavisimaia gazeta, 15 July 1993, in CDPSP, Vol. 45, 11 August 1993, p. 26.
65. "Fear False Prophets," also Sergei Bychkov, "The Troubled Summer of 1992," Moscow News, 8 November 1992, p. 2; also Wendy Slater and Kjell Engelbrekt, "Eastern Orthodoxy Defends Its Position," RFE-RL Research Report, September 1993.
66. "Fear False Prophets," also Sergei Bychkov, "The Troubled Summer of 1992," Moscow News, 8 November 1992, p. 2; also Wendy Slater and Kjell Engelbrekt, "Eastern Orthodoxy Defends Its Position," RFE-RL Research Report, September 1993.
67. "Fear False Prophets," also Sergei Bychkov, "The Troubled Summer of 1992," Moscow News, 8 November 1992, p. 2; also Wendy Slater and Kjell Engelbrekt, "Eastern Orthodoxy Defends Its Position," RFE-RL Research Report, September 1993.
68. See for example, Thomas Price, "Foreign Missionaries Should Be Banned from Russia!" Moscow News, 4 February 1994, p. 6. On the brotherhoods, see Oxana Antic, "Revival of Orthodox Brotherhoods in Russia," RFE-RL Research Report, 13 March 1992.
69. See for example, Thomas Price, "Foreign Missionaries Should Be Banned from Russia!" Moscow News, 4 February 1994, p. 6. On the brotherhoods, see Oxana Antic, "Revival of Orthodox Brotherhoods in Russia," RFE-RL Research Report, 13 March 1992.
70. ITAR-TASS, 21 December 1995, as cited in Peter Rutland, "Sects Infiltrating Schools," OMRIDD, No. 249, Part I, 27 December 1995.
71. ITAR-TASS, 21 December 1995, as cited in Peter Rutland, "Sects Infiltrating Schools," OMRIDD, No. 249, Part I, 27 December 1995.
72. See the interview with Aleksii II in Pyotr Romanov, "What Christianity Will Take into the 21st Century," Kommersant Daily, 9 June 1995, as reported in CDPSP, Vol 47, No. 23, 5 July 1995, p. 22.
73. Arkady Zheludkov, "Aum Shinrikyo Leaders Officialy Claim the Sect's Russian Branch To Be Independent of the Japanese," Izvestiia, 23 March 1995, p. 2.
74. For details on the trial and sentencing of cult leaders, see Chrystyna Lapychak "Doomsday Cult Leaders Sentenced in Ukraine," OMRIDD, No. 30, Part II, 12 February 1996.
75. Reported by Ukrainian TV and Reuters, 9 February 1996, cited in ibid.
76. Ibid.
77. Aleksandr Solodov, "Orthodox Church Houses Extremist Sects," Moscow News, 19 May 1995, p. 13; and also Oxana Antic, "Revival of Orthodox Brotherhoods ..."
78. Aleksandr Solodov, "Orthodox Church Houses Extremist Sects," Moscow News, 19 May 1995, p. 13; and also Oxana Antic, "Revival of Orthodox Brotherhoods ..."
79. Reported by AFP and RFE/RL, as cited by Scott Parrish, "Jewish Organization Protests Ban," OMRIDD, 2 May 1996. On the conference, see Robert Orttung, "Conference Examines Role of Nationalism," OMRIDD, 30 March 1996.
80. Reported by AFP and RFE/RL, as cited by Scott Parrish, "Jewish Organization Protests Ban," OMRIDD, 2 May 1996. On the conference, see Robert Orttung, "Conference Examines Role of Nationalism," OMRIDD, 30 March 1996.
81. Ibid.
82. ITAR-TASS, 11 April 1996; and Zavtra, No. 17, May 1996. See also OMRI Presidential Election Survey, 16 May 1996.
83. ITAR-TASS, 11 April 1996; and Zavtra, No. 17, May 1996. See also OMRI Presidential Election Survey, 16 May 1996.
84. ITAR-TASS, 11 April 1996; and Zavtra, No. 17, May 1996. See also OMRI Presidential Election Survey, 16 May 1996.
85. Kommersant Daily, 14 May 1996.
86. Sovetskaia Rossiia, 13 June 1996, pp. 1-2.
87. Anna Paretskaya, "Russian Muslims Unite," OMRIDD, 2 May 1996. See also ITAR-TASS, 1 July 1996.
88. Anna Paretskaya, "Russian Muslims Unite," OMRIDD, 2 May 1996. See also ITAR-TASS, 1 July 1996.
89. Sovetskaiia Rossiia, 29 June 1996, p. 1; Komsomolskaiia Pravda, 29 June 1996, pp. 1-2. See also Gennady Zhuganov, "Together We Will Revive Russia," Pravda, 1 July 1996; and Laura Belin, "Zyuganov Promises to Halt Russia's Spiritual Decline," in OMRI Presidential Election Survey, 2 July 1996.
90. Sovetskaiia Rossiia, 29 June 1996, p. 1; Komsomolskaiia Pravda, 29 June 1996, pp. 1-2. See also Gennady Zhuganov, "Together We Will Revive Russia," Pravda, 1 July 1996; and Laura Belin, "Zyuganov Promises to Halt Russia's Spiritual Decline," in OMRI Presidential Election Survey, 2 July 1996.
91. Sovetskaiia Rossiia, 29 June 1996, p. 1; Komsomolskaiia Pravda, 29 June 1996, pp. 1-2. See also Gennady Zhuganov, "Together We Will Revive Russia," Pravda, 1 July 1996; and Laura Belin, "Zyuganov Promises to Halt Russia's Spiritual Decline," in OMRI Presidential Election Survey, 2 July 1996.
92. Sovetskaiia Rossiia, 29 June 1996, p. 1; Komsomolskaiia Pravda, 29 June 1996, pp. 1-2. See also Gennady Zhuganov, "Together We Will Revive Russia," Pravda, 1 July 1996; and Laura Belin, "Zyuganov Promises to Halt Russia's Spiritual Decline," in OMRI Presidential Election Survey, 2 July 1996.
93. Cited by Belin, in ibid.
94. ITAR-TASS, 12 May 1996, as cited in ibid.
95. Penny Morvant "Lebed ... Scorns Foreign Religious Sects," OMRIDD, 28 June 1996; also "Japanese Preacher Expelled from Russia," OMRIDD, 2 July 1996.
96. Penny Morvant "Lebed ... Scorns Foreign Religious Sects," OMRIDD, 28 June 1996; also "Japanese Preacher Expelled from Russia," OMRIDD, 2 July 1996.
97. This was in response to a question I posed to the visiting group. The one exception was the representive of the Jewish faith, Rabbi Adolf Solomonovich Shaevich, Chief Rabbi of Russia. Those supporting greater controls included Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, Apostolic Administrator for Catholics of the Latin Rite in European Russia; Pastor Peter B. Konovalchik, President of the Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptist in the Russian Federation; and Archpriest Victor Petliuchenko, Deputy Chairman of the Department of External Church Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church, Moscow Patriarchate.
98. AFP, 1 July 1996, as cited by Peter Rutland, "Jewish Leader Denied Visa," OMRIDD, 2 July 1996. See also Penny Morvant, "Nazdratenko Threatens Foreign Religious Groups," OMRIDD, 2 August 1996.
99. AFP, 1 July 1996, as cited by Peter Rutland, "Jewish Leader Denied Visa," OMRIDD, 2 July 1996. See also Penny Morvant, "Nazdratenko Threatens Foreign Religious Groups," OMRIDD, 2 August 1996.