I was wondering lately why the Western elite is so naive in relations with Putin's Russia. Why famous journalists of the NYT and Foreign Policy, assume that they can apply to Russia the Western standards, why they believe that signed agreement will be respected, how can they consider that the image of Russia presented in the English language RT television is real. I have the impression, that today even Republicans known for its suspicion with relations to Russia, behave like children in the fog.
If they have read Politkovskaya, after all, they would know that this is not a country that uses democratic standards. So why not Politkovskaya became required reading for American whizzes international politics and the media authority promoted by CNN? No, because it is useless.
In my opinion, Politkovskaya stories are steeped in Slavic soul, and only the reader endowed with such sensitivity, can appreciate and fully understand her journalism. I do not agree, that this is a book about Putin. I also believe that not a political dimension is crucial for this book. It is an emotional analysis of the Russian society, depraved by an evil power.
Reading some of the stories, you can have the impression that this is not contemporary Russia, but the tsarist times and portrayed characters have been described by Chekhov. As in Checkov novels, you will find here stories about simple people, who are maneuvering in a heartless, hostile system to realize their mundane goals, harming the weaker. There are also utterly honest patriots who endure with dignity their plight. There is also poverty, not less than the tsarist regime. Politkovskaya wrote about real Russia, without the glitz of Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Knowing so well the realities governing modern Russia like Politkovskaya did, what courage she needed to have to write about it directly, without embellishments, without reticence, without a doubt. Is it worth dying for the truth about Russia? This question is not only to Politkovskaya but also to B. Nemtsov, A. Litvinenko, and many others, already gone. Probably today with the same thought goes to sleep many opposition figures in Putin's Russia.
Monday, December 26, 2016
Sunday, December 11, 2016
The tragic consequences of shameless affair and its poisoned fruits - Grigorij Rasputin and Georgij Gapon
The reforms of Peter the Great, subordinated the structure of the church to the government in many aspects. Catherine the Great continued Peter's policy about relations with the Church. She has secularized all the church properties and established secular jurisdiction for the convents.
Successive tsars increasingly subordinated the church hierarchy to themselves, while relying on the authority of the Church to legitimize their power.
The Orthodoxy was also unscrupulously exploited to the political struggle inside and outside the country. A characteristic example is a war with Napoleon. At the behest of Tsar, Orthodox Church called Napoleon the Antichrist and urged the nation to fight a holy war between good and evil.
Religious and moral pressure on believers, aimed at mobilizing them to fierce fighting was also emphasized at the activity of the Holy Alliance as well as during the Crimean War (1853-1856).
Orthodox church was an important instrument of an expansion, not only by supporting military actions but also conducting missionary activities both on the annexed land and abroad.
The schools run by the monks taught obedience to the Tsar, the Russian tradition and culture. Evangelizing activity was carried out on a large scale throughout the world, including Palestine, China, and America.
The period in the history of the Russian Orthodox Church, starting from the rule of Peter the Great and completed by the 1917 revolution could be summed up, that the affair with the regime, never ends well. Completely subordinated to the regime church and the instrumental use of the faith and its followers discouraged some intelligence from the mainstream of Russian Orthodoxy. Russians began to seek the new authority, spiritual renewal, symbolism and mystical experiences.
In the nineteenth century, the centers of spiritual life become monasteries and hermitages. The best known are Monastery Sarovo and hermitage in Optino.
Hermits who lived there, have become symbols of the true faith, asceticism, a return to the roots of the Orthodox Church. The conviction of the need for spiritual renewal of Russia, are visible in the philosophy of Soloviev and literature of Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky.
Based on the longing for simplicity as well as the faith in the mystical ability of the ascetic monks, was created the cult of Rasputin. Grigorij Rasputin appeared at the tsarist court in 1905. He was presented as a mysterious healer, holy man, and a spiritual guide. Rasputin was supposed to treat suffering from hemophilia Tsarevich Alexei. Some historians argue that his success in the treatment of Tsarevich, Rasputin obtained by using hypnosis.
There is not much information about the previous period of his life. He was born in approx.1869. Was known as a hooligan, a horse thief, vagabond. Apparently, during the attempted theft, he was heavily battered and experienced internal changes. He began to wander the holy places, struck a moralist post as well as learned some quackery and healed people. He has also claimed that he has the gift of clairvoyance.
The man with such a dubious past, however, was the most influential person in the court of the last Russian Tsar Nicholas II. Rasputin, called "tsar without a crown" was a favorite of the Empress as well as the majority of St. Petersburg ladies. Despite the repulsive appearance, lack of personal hygiene and boorish behavior was the most desirable man in St. Petersburg. The fame of the lecher, who can indulge in carnal pleasures for many hours with multiple partners at the same time, opened for him many doors and hearts. For dozens of venerable ladies, he was both spiritual and body guide.
Even more surprising is the political career of this illiterate peasant. Without a doubt, he was the most influential man at the court of Nicholas II. Representatives of the St. Petersburg's elite and diplomacy, terrified with an unlimited contract of confidence signed with him, interceded with Tsar about Rasputin. Nicholas II answered them, that"better three Rasputins than one attack of Tsarina's hysteria". Unwillingness to Rasputin took public nature, after the next losses of Russian troops in skirmishes with the Germans during the First World War. Rasputin was suspected of deliberately advising Tsar ineffective military strategy and accused of being a German spy. In the end, Rasputin became someone so influential, that it was decided by his opponents to liquidate him immediately. Initially, he was given a large dose of cyanide in his wine, but surprisingly it didn't work. Then it was concluded to finish him off with the dagger, but he was still alive. Finally, he was shot several times. As he was still breathing, the assassins bound him and thrown under the ice on the Neva river. This happened on December 30, 1916 year.
Ten years earlier there was made another political murder of a clergyman, which is very significant for religious relations in Russia at that moment. Orthodox priest Griegorij Gapon, labor activist, led a demonstration of workers' with a petition to Tsar Nicholas II. The peaceful demonstration was fired upon by the military and under the name "Bloody Sunday" went down in history as the beginning of the 1905 revolution.
The role of the mysterious monk who gained the trust and sympathy of the workers aroused a lot of suspicions. Griegorij Gapon already in 1902 has reported to the secret police - Okhrana and offered his services. Gapon enjoyed great authority among the workers. He proposed the creation of the controlled labor movement, in support of the Tsar. By creating cheap eateries, organizing moralizing talks and direct material support to the poorest workers, police had hoped to solidify support among workers for the Tsar.
On the cold January morning 1905 the workers, women, and children singing, with portraits of Nicholas II and icons in the hands went into the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. At the head of the marchers walked Gapon dressed in priestly robes. On the road, the peaceful march was stopped by the army. When manifesting refused to disperse, soldiers opened the fire killing hundreds of people.
After the demonstration, Gabon, surprisingly alive, went abroad, where he met with prominent leaders of the proletariat. After returning to Russia, Okhrana proposed him generous gratification for denunciations of the labor activists. Gabon agreed, not knowing that group of proletarians is listening to this conversation behind the wall. He was murdered on March 28, 1906.
Life of two best-known Russian Orthodox clergy on the beginning of the twentieth century, confirms that even the most passionate and promising romance with power does not end well. Dripping in gold Orthodox Church and its stinking rich hierarchy, for a generous remuneration offering support to autocracy and oppression of the subjects, lost public confidence. Church moving away from its role, weakened its authority and took out the holiness, creating the crowds of ordinary crooks, who based on the social need of the sacred, were splashing in the profane.
Successive tsars increasingly subordinated the church hierarchy to themselves, while relying on the authority of the Church to legitimize their power.
The Orthodoxy was also unscrupulously exploited to the political struggle inside and outside the country. A characteristic example is a war with Napoleon. At the behest of Tsar, Orthodox Church called Napoleon the Antichrist and urged the nation to fight a holy war between good and evil.
Religious and moral pressure on believers, aimed at mobilizing them to fierce fighting was also emphasized at the activity of the Holy Alliance as well as during the Crimean War (1853-1856).
Orthodox church was an important instrument of an expansion, not only by supporting military actions but also conducting missionary activities both on the annexed land and abroad.
The schools run by the monks taught obedience to the Tsar, the Russian tradition and culture. Evangelizing activity was carried out on a large scale throughout the world, including Palestine, China, and America.
The period in the history of the Russian Orthodox Church, starting from the rule of Peter the Great and completed by the 1917 revolution could be summed up, that the affair with the regime, never ends well. Completely subordinated to the regime church and the instrumental use of the faith and its followers discouraged some intelligence from the mainstream of Russian Orthodoxy. Russians began to seek the new authority, spiritual renewal, symbolism and mystical experiences.
In the nineteenth century, the centers of spiritual life become monasteries and hermitages. The best known are Monastery Sarovo and hermitage in Optino.
Based on the longing for simplicity as well as the faith in the mystical ability of the ascetic monks, was created the cult of Rasputin. Grigorij Rasputin appeared at the tsarist court in 1905. He was presented as a mysterious healer, holy man, and a spiritual guide. Rasputin was supposed to treat suffering from hemophilia Tsarevich Alexei. Some historians argue that his success in the treatment of Tsarevich, Rasputin obtained by using hypnosis.
There is not much information about the previous period of his life. He was born in approx.1869. Was known as a hooligan, a horse thief, vagabond. Apparently, during the attempted theft, he was heavily battered and experienced internal changes. He began to wander the holy places, struck a moralist post as well as learned some quackery and healed people. He has also claimed that he has the gift of clairvoyance.
The man with such a dubious past, however, was the most influential person in the court of the last Russian Tsar Nicholas II. Rasputin, called "tsar without a crown" was a favorite of the Empress as well as the majority of St. Petersburg ladies. Despite the repulsive appearance, lack of personal hygiene and boorish behavior was the most desirable man in St. Petersburg. The fame of the lecher, who can indulge in carnal pleasures for many hours with multiple partners at the same time, opened for him many doors and hearts. For dozens of venerable ladies, he was both spiritual and body guide.
Even more surprising is the political career of this illiterate peasant. Without a doubt, he was the most influential man at the court of Nicholas II. Representatives of the St. Petersburg's elite and diplomacy, terrified with an unlimited contract of confidence signed with him, interceded with Tsar about Rasputin. Nicholas II answered them, that"better three Rasputins than one attack of Tsarina's hysteria". Unwillingness to Rasputin took public nature, after the next losses of Russian troops in skirmishes with the Germans during the First World War. Rasputin was suspected of deliberately advising Tsar ineffective military strategy and accused of being a German spy. In the end, Rasputin became someone so influential, that it was decided by his opponents to liquidate him immediately. Initially, he was given a large dose of cyanide in his wine, but surprisingly it didn't work. Then it was concluded to finish him off with the dagger, but he was still alive. Finally, he was shot several times. As he was still breathing, the assassins bound him and thrown under the ice on the Neva river. This happened on December 30, 1916 year.
Ten years earlier there was made another political murder of a clergyman, which is very significant for religious relations in Russia at that moment. Orthodox priest Griegorij Gapon, labor activist, led a demonstration of workers' with a petition to Tsar Nicholas II. The peaceful demonstration was fired upon by the military and under the name "Bloody Sunday" went down in history as the beginning of the 1905 revolution.
The role of the mysterious monk who gained the trust and sympathy of the workers aroused a lot of suspicions. Griegorij Gapon already in 1902 has reported to the secret police - Okhrana and offered his services. Gapon enjoyed great authority among the workers. He proposed the creation of the controlled labor movement, in support of the Tsar. By creating cheap eateries, organizing moralizing talks and direct material support to the poorest workers, police had hoped to solidify support among workers for the Tsar.
On the cold January morning 1905 the workers, women, and children singing, with portraits of Nicholas II and icons in the hands went into the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. At the head of the marchers walked Gapon dressed in priestly robes. On the road, the peaceful march was stopped by the army. When manifesting refused to disperse, soldiers opened the fire killing hundreds of people.After the demonstration, Gabon, surprisingly alive, went abroad, where he met with prominent leaders of the proletariat. After returning to Russia, Okhrana proposed him generous gratification for denunciations of the labor activists. Gabon agreed, not knowing that group of proletarians is listening to this conversation behind the wall. He was murdered on March 28, 1906.
Life of two best-known Russian Orthodox clergy on the beginning of the twentieth century, confirms that even the most passionate and promising romance with power does not end well. Dripping in gold Orthodox Church and its stinking rich hierarchy, for a generous remuneration offering support to autocracy and oppression of the subjects, lost public confidence. Church moving away from its role, weakened its authority and took out the holiness, creating the crowds of ordinary crooks, who based on the social need of the sacred, were splashing in the profane.
Friday, December 2, 2016
Ivan the Terrible, Peter the Great - two different, but equally decisive ways to subordination of the church
The Orthodox culture dominated all the spheres of life in medieval Russia: spirituality, morality, domestic and state structure. The role of the church as an element of the state power was unassailable. However, since the fifteenth century, the governors began the process of becoming independent from the Church. This process was initiated by Ivan IV the Terrible, who separated the roles of the state and the church. Ivan IV, known for his cruelty and elaborate torture that applied to his bondsmen, did not spare recalcitrant priests. Leonid, Archbishop of Novgorod, was holed up in a bearskin and torn apart by dogs. The monks, who did not want to give up their valuables, were thrown to the hungry bears. Convicts were given spears to defend. One, who before his death was able to knock down the animal was later canonized.
Lev Tolstoy wrote that the more shocking than the fact that there was Ivan the Terrible, is that there was a society that approved him. The key element of the social loyalty to Ivan the Terrible as well as his remain in power was the national commitment to the Orthodox religion and Orthodox Tsar. Ivan IV emphasized at every step his devotion to religion, going on pilgrimage, praying in the church. He claimed that his absolute authority comes from God " If you are not obedient to the ruler who commits some offense, you become not only guilty of perfidy, but damn your soul to damnation because God orders you blind obedience to your prince. "
At the time of Ivan IV, there was created a set of lifestyle and laws regulations, governing family life and relationship to the Tsar and religion - Domostroj. The document was written in a language accessible and identifies three main aspects of life.
In Part I discusses duties to God and the Tsar, Part II- The ratio of the head of the family to his wife, children and family members, Part III - Gives the advice to run a household. The document recommended long prayer (also night time), strict observance of fasting, daily attendance at worship, as an ideal puts the wealthy and thrifty house, isolated from neighbors and self-sufficient, ruled by the father of the family. You can also find there an advice on how to treat a disobedient wife: "If the wife, son or daughter does not listen to words and ignores you, is not afraid and does not do what she was told by husband or a father or mother whip according to guilt; lash but not in front of the people, but solitude: teach, say a kind word .... "
In the fifteenth century, the Orthodox Church clashed two main theories about the role of the Church in public life. The first was represented by Nil Sorsky, who claimed that the church should be poor, but fully independent of the secular. The second concept expressed by Josif Volocki, expected powerful, rich church fully cooperating with authorities. The second concept succeeds and became the base theory for ROC (Russian Orthodox Church)- state relations for centuries. According to it, the church was supporting state power in all priority issues, and in cooperation with the government, it builds its power. The theory has survived for centuries in Russia, and Josif Volocki, for his services was canonized. His theory was fulfilling the idea of Moscow as the Third Rome, based on the symbiosis of the state and Orthodox Church.
Ivan punished people for shaving beards, for western wear, western books, and customs. Travel to the West was recognized as a treason.Compared to Ivan IV isolation strategy, Peter the Great and his West - open attitude started the new chapter in the history of the Russian Orthodox Church, called the "Synod period". Profound changes in the symbiotic relationship between Church and state power have occurred during the reign of Peter the Great, who carried out the reform of subordinating the Church to the state power. Peter the Great has also begun the process of opening Russia to the West, thus limiting the impact of traditional values in the life of Russian society.
For progressive Tsar, Church was the symbol of Russian backwardness, so he decided to reform it completely and surrender state power. According to the Western mainstream Enlightenment, not shunned from overt criticism of the clergy, for drunkenness, selfishness, poor education and debauchery. After returning from a trip to Europe, Peter ordered his subjects shaving beards and dressed in European clothes. What is interesting, traditionally, on the icons the devil was presented without a beard and wearing German clothes.
In 1721 there was adopted a decree setting up a collective church authority, which replaced one-person leadership in the church and was fully dependent on the Tsar. Synod had a competence in the interpretation of dogma and liturgy as well as regulated property issues of the Church.
Typical for a legal solution to the era of Peter was the edict of May 1722 obliging the clergy to denounce the authorities about cases of violations the law, which they learned during confession.
According to the document obligation to denounce the criminal intention revealed during the confession was justified with Gospel. Argued that, an act of the confession was not fulfilled, as there was no sorrow for the sins.
Zealous members of the clergy filled the obligation imposed on them too helpfully, keeping in view their own benefit. Refers to them, "[...] it is better to err, reporting than silence"
As was to be expected, a number of the worshipers decided to avoid the confession, so the another Tsar edicts impose on the citizens the obligation of completing confession under threat of fines. In order to control the clergy were required, to keep records of acceding to confession. There was even introduced a system of written certificates of holding the confession, which was recommended to use remaining journeys.
Since the beginning of the eighteenth century, Tsar has started intensive subordination of monasteries, as well as the finances of the Church. In 1701 issued a decree depriving monasteries income of the ownership of land, property and manufacturing facilities, and obliging the state to provide in exchange material resources. The state administration also imposed on the Church organization of the hospitals, asylums, and organizing schools.
For sure the main reason of Peter the Great actions against the Church was to strengthen his own position. However, not the only one. It was also about his fascination with Protestantism and western philosophy of the churches' role: - church more as a social servant than as a governor.
However, the role of the Orthodox Church in the eighteenth century Russia was not to be underestimated. The deep roots of faith in society, the distinctive element of Russians from neighboring Poles and Lithuanians, the mobilization to fight the enemy for the faith - it was all too important for the Tsar, to fully demolish the Orthodox Church.
Crucial for the state were the main principles proclaimed by Orthodox Church. Particularly the humility, perfectly preparing its followers for the role of docile subjects of the state.
Peter the Great formally started to use the title of "father of the fatherland". It also meant that he took the position of the patriarch, to whom this title previously belonged.
Both Ivan the Terrible and Peter the Great realized vision of the total power basing on the religious tradition. Both intimidating, demeaning and using the humility of the orthodox society, changed the country bearing in mind the only creation of their own imperial, absolute power.
The huge success of the adopted strategy is demonstrated by the fact that despite the unprecedented atrocities, which characterized their governments, in contemporary Russia, you can meet the monuments of Ivan the Terrible and Peter the Great.
Lev Tolstoy wrote that the more shocking than the fact that there was Ivan the Terrible, is that there was a society that approved him. The key element of the social loyalty to Ivan the Terrible as well as his remain in power was the national commitment to the Orthodox religion and Orthodox Tsar. Ivan IV emphasized at every step his devotion to religion, going on pilgrimage, praying in the church. He claimed that his absolute authority comes from God " If you are not obedient to the ruler who commits some offense, you become not only guilty of perfidy, but damn your soul to damnation because God orders you blind obedience to your prince. "
At the time of Ivan IV, there was created a set of lifestyle and laws regulations, governing family life and relationship to the Tsar and religion - Domostroj. The document was written in a language accessible and identifies three main aspects of life.
In Part I discusses duties to God and the Tsar, Part II- The ratio of the head of the family to his wife, children and family members, Part III - Gives the advice to run a household. The document recommended long prayer (also night time), strict observance of fasting, daily attendance at worship, as an ideal puts the wealthy and thrifty house, isolated from neighbors and self-sufficient, ruled by the father of the family. You can also find there an advice on how to treat a disobedient wife: "If the wife, son or daughter does not listen to words and ignores you, is not afraid and does not do what she was told by husband or a father or mother whip according to guilt; lash but not in front of the people, but solitude: teach, say a kind word .... "
In the fifteenth century, the Orthodox Church clashed two main theories about the role of the Church in public life. The first was represented by Nil Sorsky, who claimed that the church should be poor, but fully independent of the secular. The second concept expressed by Josif Volocki, expected powerful, rich church fully cooperating with authorities. The second concept succeeds and became the base theory for ROC (Russian Orthodox Church)- state relations for centuries. According to it, the church was supporting state power in all priority issues, and in cooperation with the government, it builds its power. The theory has survived for centuries in Russia, and Josif Volocki, for his services was canonized. His theory was fulfilling the idea of Moscow as the Third Rome, based on the symbiosis of the state and Orthodox Church.
Ivan punished people for shaving beards, for western wear, western books, and customs. Travel to the West was recognized as a treason.Compared to Ivan IV isolation strategy, Peter the Great and his West - open attitude started the new chapter in the history of the Russian Orthodox Church, called the "Synod period". Profound changes in the symbiotic relationship between Church and state power have occurred during the reign of Peter the Great, who carried out the reform of subordinating the Church to the state power. Peter the Great has also begun the process of opening Russia to the West, thus limiting the impact of traditional values in the life of Russian society.
For progressive Tsar, Church was the symbol of Russian backwardness, so he decided to reform it completely and surrender state power. According to the Western mainstream Enlightenment, not shunned from overt criticism of the clergy, for drunkenness, selfishness, poor education and debauchery. After returning from a trip to Europe, Peter ordered his subjects shaving beards and dressed in European clothes. What is interesting, traditionally, on the icons the devil was presented without a beard and wearing German clothes.
In 1721 there was adopted a decree setting up a collective church authority, which replaced one-person leadership in the church and was fully dependent on the Tsar. Synod had a competence in the interpretation of dogma and liturgy as well as regulated property issues of the Church.
Typical for a legal solution to the era of Peter was the edict of May 1722 obliging the clergy to denounce the authorities about cases of violations the law, which they learned during confession.
According to the document obligation to denounce the criminal intention revealed during the confession was justified with Gospel. Argued that, an act of the confession was not fulfilled, as there was no sorrow for the sins.
Zealous members of the clergy filled the obligation imposed on them too helpfully, keeping in view their own benefit. Refers to them, "[...] it is better to err, reporting than silence"
As was to be expected, a number of the worshipers decided to avoid the confession, so the another Tsar edicts impose on the citizens the obligation of completing confession under threat of fines. In order to control the clergy were required, to keep records of acceding to confession. There was even introduced a system of written certificates of holding the confession, which was recommended to use remaining journeys.
Since the beginning of the eighteenth century, Tsar has started intensive subordination of monasteries, as well as the finances of the Church. In 1701 issued a decree depriving monasteries income of the ownership of land, property and manufacturing facilities, and obliging the state to provide in exchange material resources. The state administration also imposed on the Church organization of the hospitals, asylums, and organizing schools.
For sure the main reason of Peter the Great actions against the Church was to strengthen his own position. However, not the only one. It was also about his fascination with Protestantism and western philosophy of the churches' role: - church more as a social servant than as a governor.
However, the role of the Orthodox Church in the eighteenth century Russia was not to be underestimated. The deep roots of faith in society, the distinctive element of Russians from neighboring Poles and Lithuanians, the mobilization to fight the enemy for the faith - it was all too important for the Tsar, to fully demolish the Orthodox Church.
Crucial for the state were the main principles proclaimed by Orthodox Church. Particularly the humility, perfectly preparing its followers for the role of docile subjects of the state.
Peter the Great formally started to use the title of "father of the fatherland". It also meant that he took the position of the patriarch, to whom this title previously belonged.
Both Ivan the Terrible and Peter the Great realized vision of the total power basing on the religious tradition. Both intimidating, demeaning and using the humility of the orthodox society, changed the country bearing in mind the only creation of their own imperial, absolute power.
The huge success of the adopted strategy is demonstrated by the fact that despite the unprecedented atrocities, which characterized their governments, in contemporary Russia, you can meet the monuments of Ivan the Terrible and Peter the Great.
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