Dear reader,
In the war in Ukraine, religion plays an important role. Not only because of the role of patriarch Kirill but because it highlights the process of the ideologization of religion that took place in the Russian Orthodox Church. Yet, not only in the ROC but also in other denominations. Suffice it to think of the role the evangelicals played in recent American politics and we can recognize a pattern in which religion is not about faith and community, but about nationalism, hegemonism and so on. This ideologization comes down to forging a narrative in which nationalistic and religious elements are merged into a new story about the uniqueness of a certain culture. That is the changing narrative, the narrative that once again wakens the old dream of one faith, one reign, one law. Unfortunately, this religious aspect is also one of the elements of surprise the Western countries met in the case of this war.
In this personal content hub, you will find various articles to provide some background on the topic. This hub also contains the agenda, instructions on how to join the round table, and the key questions we would like to discuss.
I am looking forward to meeting you on April 14th, 4:00 pm CET / 3:00 pm GMT.
Best regards,
Matthias Smalbrugge
Welcome!
Introduction by Matthias Smalbrugge - On the war in Ukraine
In preparation for our round table, Matthias Smalbrugge introduces the topic of 'War & Peace'.
The growing hold of the Moscow Patriarchate over the European Orthodox world
In recent years, the Moscow Patriarchate has been extending its influence over European Orthodoxy, starting in its heartland: France.
A declaration on the "Russian World" (Russki Mir) teaching
The Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, is a historic threat to a people of Orthodox Christian tradition. More troubling still for Orthodox believers, the senior hierarchy of the Russian Orthodox Church has refused to acknowledge this invasion.
Church and politics in Ukraine
How did the granting of independence to the new church in Ukraine contribute to the ongoing crisis in politics and the Orthodox Church?
Ukraine on the EARS dashboard
78% of news items in the EARS dashboard from March relate to tension. What is the role of religion in Russia’s invasion and the war in Ukraine?
Loyalty or resistance to Moscow? A difficult dilemma for Russian Orthodox churches
Russian Orthodox churches are facing a dilemma: should they stay loyal to Kirill, who supports the Russian war, or disconnect from the Moscow Patriarchate?
Questions for discussion
Based on the background articles above, we would like to discuss two questions with you during our virtual round table.
Attendees
Who will be attending?
Matthias Smalbrugge
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Professor of Theology
John Behr
University of Aberdeen
Regius Chair
Katja Tolstoj
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Chair of Theology and Religion in Post-Trauma Societies and Vice-dean and Dean of Research
Wolfgang Wagner
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Professor of international security
Marietta van der Tol
University of Cambridge
Alfred Landecker Postdoctoral Fellow at the Blavantik School of Government
Marije van Beek
Trouw
Chief editor religion and philosophy
Tornike Metreveli
Lund University
Postdoctoral Fellow, Church and Mission Studies, Centre for Theology and Religious Studies
Bastiaan van Apeldoorn
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Professor of Global Political Economy and Geopolitics at the Vrije Universiteit and Senator for the Socialist Party
