Russian Orthodoxy Anthropology

The Russian Orthodox Church has a very dark unspoken past. The Russian Orthodox Church changed many policies over the years leading to many casualties. The Russian Church to many people was a sign of fear and change they were uncomfortable with.

Many things reflect Russia’s diverse culture but two main things are art and the church.

I conducted an interview with a good friend of mine named Andrei. Andrei values humbleness, and during my interview with him, he reminisces about the times when he was a little boy, he and his grandmother would constantly go to the Christian Orthodox Church to pray. When I came to the question about what he thought about the idea of the significance of religion as well as superstition, he answered, “Whatever you believe in comes from within yourself.” (Vlad. Personal Interview. 19 September 2017). In some ways, I think that Andrei truly did have a

It only seemed natural for the Orthodox East and the Catholic West to have a series of elements differentiating them from each-other. However, it is actually surprising that most of these differences emerged as a result of cultural practices influencing each branch of Christianity. Individuals in the East developed innovative methods of putting across Christian thinking and managed to create a cult that largely differed from the one in the West. In spite of the fact that the Byzantine Empire shrank across time, it managed to induce intense feelings in communities neighboring it. Some of these influences can be

During the late 10th century, Vladimir I, king of Russia, decided to utilize religion to his advantage. Surrounded by european states unified by a single monotheistic religion, he analyzed the benefits. The growing appeal of such belief systems lessened the attachment to the Russian gods. Centralization of Orthodox Christianity changed the trajectory of Russia forever. The russian alliance with the Byzantine empire grew even stronger in trade and military power. Additionally, Byzantine influence heightened in russian literature, art, and mannerisms. Russian religion separated the kingdom from Roman Catholic western Europe, creating a cultural division that still lasts today. Eventually when the Byzantine empire fell, Russia took it upon themselves

The Russian Church has been around since 1448, but the metropolitans of Kiev were the head of the church. The church wants immunity from taxation in the 1270, while it was under the rule of Mogul. The community of believers, which apostle Andrew founded is what makes up the Russian Church. The

"The Role of Women in the Orthodox Church." Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2016.

In the 13th century, the Russian Orthodox church shielded the population from the Tatar great invasion that could have engulfed the Christian faith throughout Russia. Similarly, in the 14th century, outstanding bishops helped to unite divided principalities, progressively strengthening an emerging Imperial Russia.

The was once a time in Russia's history in which righteous living, not wealth, prestige, or prosperity; was what every man strove to obtain. A form of Christianity (whose roots went back to the church of the Apostle's days) prevailed over the country; able to defend Russia from the Roman catholic armies of Germany and Sweden while protecting its own citizens pressed under over two-hundred years of outside dominance. Under that foreign dominance was when the very culture, mindset, schedule, everyday lifestyle, calendar, and organizing of any business revolved around the Church, a Church whose beliefs molded and brought the country together.

Eastern Orthodox Church is known as Orthodox Catholic Church; it is one of three major doctrinal and jurisdictional sects of Christianity (Meyendorff). Today, 225 million people follow Orthodox Catholic Christians they live mainly in the Balkans, the Middle East, some are America, and Russia. “Eastern Orthodoxy is the large body of Christians who follow the faith and practices that were defined by the first seven ecumenical councils” (Meyendorff). The word orthodox means right believing, they also follows the tradition and the doctrine with a strict interpretation. The word Orthodox (rightly believing) was first used by the Greek-speaking Christian who labeled the communities or individuals who conserve the true faith, as defined by those councils,

Covering 17,075,200 square kilometers, Russia is liable to an assortment of atmospheres and boasts a wide range of territory. Flanked by 14 nations, Russia has various ethnic populations that influence regions culturally. Winning religions incorporate Russian Orthodox and Muslim, however Russia likewise has what’s coming to its of different religions and additionally secularism.

Winston Churchill famously said, “Russia is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.” Any effort to make sense of the place of religion in post-Soviet Russia is equally elusive (Burgess, 2009). Today the Russian Orthodox Church is reclaiming its place as an integral part of Russian society. In many Russians’ minds, to be Russian is to be Orthodox. They would argue that Orthodoxy is an essential part of Russian identity (Burgess, 2009). During the communist era, the church, like every other institution in the Soviet Union, was completely subordinate to the state (2). The Russian church has sought to fill the void of ideology left by the collapse of Communism. Today Russians in America hold onto the orthodox belief that the Orthodox

Russian’s hold pride for their native land, religion and their family. During the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) families were faced to depend on each other to sustain resources to survive. Eventually, family support became the reason for valuing extended family and maintaining close relationships. “Russians don 't know when and where they might call on their friends, but they do know that by building relationships they will not be left out in the cold in a time of need” (MOSCOW CITY TOURIST.COM). Russia is the largest country in the world with a total area of 6,601,668 square miles and a population at about 141,049,000. In about 141,049,000 there are at least 190 ethnic groups, including those of Russian decent and Ukrainian, Tatar, Bashkir, Chuvash, and Chechen. Provided, with at least 190 ethnic groups, 100 minority language are being spoken in Russia, including Russian being the official language and English the second; and the languages of the Ukrainian, Tatar, Bashkir, Chuvash, and Chechen ethnic groups. The 5,000 of the Russia community the most popular religion to follow are the Russian Orthodox Church, Islam, or Christianity. For centuries, Russia was essential an Orthodox nation. (Bradford, 2015)

When it comes to being different, it can be difficult to manage people’s judgements. Whether someone has an accent, looks “Un-American” or has a name that is difficult to pronounce, it seems like a better solution to hide under a rock all day than to confront people with their harsh and quick judgements. Unfortunately, I had hit the golden trifecta, and because of this I had a rough childhood. At times, I felt like I wasn’t worthy enough to hang out with the “cool” American kids and whenever people asked where I’m from (Uzbekistan) they had no idea where that was. They assumed I’m an American-hating Muslim or a communist, and none of which were remotely true.

In this essay, I will explore the religious experience in general and some of its variations around the world. The focus will be on the types of religious beliefs and religious leaders, especially in small-scale societies. An exploration of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, or any other major religion is beyond the scope of this essay. The approach taken is that of cultural relativity--religious practices or beliefs are not evaluated in terms of their "correctness" or "sophistication" but,