Fervent Christians: Orthodox activists in Russia as publics and counterpublics. Issue 1 (1st January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kormina, Jeanne
• Is Part Of: Religion, state & society. Volume 51:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: 11
• Page End: 29
• Publication Date: 2023-01-01
• Subjects: Religious activism -- Russia -- right to the city -- Orthodox Christianity -- post-secular -- public sphere; Communism and religion -- Periodicals; Europe, Eastern -- Religion -- Periodicals; Former Soviet republics -- Religion -- Periodicals; 306.6
• DOI: 10.1080/09637494.2023.2174757
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-7494

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In the post-Soviet context liberal publics in Russia often see the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate as a satellite of the state and its collaborator. Attempts by Church representatives, sometimes self-appointed, to enlarge the Church's presence in public space are perceived by secular publics as violating certain principles fundamental to the functioning of the public sphere: individual membership and independence from the state. Consequently, individual religious activists and associations of believers – Orthodox brotherhoods and sisterhoods, charity projects and other initiatives affiliated with the Church – function as counterpublics which feel excluded from the common public sphere and form alternative public spheres. This contribution focuses on the public actions of a female religious activist in a big city in the Urals who presents herself as speaking on behalf of the church people, often aiming to establish or defend visible religious symbols in the city landscape.