Support The Moscow Times!

Patriarch: English Words in Russian Language a 'Very Bad Sign'

Head of the Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill

Russian Orthodox Church head Patriarch Kirill has denounced the “unwarranted” use of English words in the Russian language, describing it as a “very bad sign” during a meeting of the Russian Literature Society, the RBC news agency reported Thursday.

“Some experts believe that Russian classical literature with its language and values is too complicated for present-day schoolchildren, and therefore is useless in communication,” the Patriarch said.

“As a result, the new generation uses the word ‘trend’ in their speech,” he pointed out, adding that the replacement of a Latin root word “tendency” with the English one seems “completely illogical.”

President Vladimir Putin delivered a speech during the first meeting of the Society on May 16, calling the preservation of Russian language, literature and culture a “matter of national security,” RBC reported.

“Russia has repeatedly experienced radical changes in its traditional and cultural backgrounds, but has always found strength to return to its spiritual and historical values,” Putin was quoted as saying by RBC.

Patriarch Kirill was recommended by Putin to head the Russian Literature Society, established this year in order to study and preserve the Russian language.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more