Install

Get the latest updates as we post them — right on your browser

Today's paper. Last Updated: 05/25/2012

God Absent From Church's New Spiritual Guide

Reuters

God is absent from a new spiritual guide the Russian Orthodox Church is drafting in tandem with Russia's ruling party, a newspaper said on Thursday.

Instead justice, patriotism and solidarity top the list of the guideline, dubbed "Eternal Values: The foundation of Russian Identity, which the Church is to publish with the dominant United Russia party, headed by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

The moral guide lists the values in order of their importance in the eyes of the church and the party: 1. justice, 2. freedom, 3. solidarity, 4. unity, 5. self-restraint and sacrifice, 6. patriotism, 7. welfare and 8. love, the daily Nezavisimaya Gazeta reported.

The paper cited Church spokesman, Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, as saying the principles were based on how strongly they are "rooted in God's truth and in the life experiences that remain constant."

The Orthodox Church has gained substantially in power in Russia since the fall of communism, forming close ties with Russia's political elite.

But its dominance has drawn criticism from rights groups who say it's growing political role undermines Russia's secular constitution.

Earlier this month, the Church outraged Russian feminists by proposing that women dress more modestly.





This article has no comments.

Be the first to leave a comment


Discussion
The Moscow Times welcomes your comments and invites you to discuss topics with other readers. Your comment will be posted automatically to enable a live discussion. If you aren't familiar with our comments policy, you can read it here.

If you're a registered user, you can start typing your comment below. If not, take a moment to sign up. and then return to the article.

If your comment doesn't appear, contact us by using our web form.

Comments

Comments via Facebook



Also in News

4 Russian Bikers Detained in Iraq

Four Russian bikers have been detained in Iraq, possibly on suspicion of spying, prompting a surge of concern at home.

Putin to Take First Foreign Trip to Belarus May 31

President Vladimir Putin will travel to Belarus on May 31 for his first foreign visit since taking office earlier this month, followed by a trip to Germany and France.

Iraqi Authorities Release Jailed Russian Bikers

Four Russian motorcycle tourists who spent five days in an Iraqi jail after entering the Middle Eastern country without valid visas have been released.

More Public Figures Accused of Flouting Road Rules

Following the president's order to cut the number of officials entitled to use flashing lights to skirt through traffic, several incidents of alleged abuse involving high-profile figures have come to light.

Red Square Flyboy Regrets Air Stunt

When Mathias Rust landed his white Cessna on Red Square on May 28, 1987, he had placed all his hopes for world peace in Mikhail Gorbachev.

Japanese Diplomat to Visit After Motorcycle Tourist Murdered in Siberia

A Japanese diplomat will travel to Chita on Thursday from the Khabarovsk consulate in response to the murder of a Japanese tourist who was traveling across Russia on a motorcycle.



print


Comments

This article has no comments.

Be the first to leave a comment





Most Read