Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, recently warned priests ministering to soldiers in the Russian army in Ukraine to be on the lookout for “weirdos” attempting to spread “neopaganism.”
Kirill, a close ally of Russian strongman Vladimir Putin and a vociferous supporter of the war in Ukraine, expressed outrage that in the 21st century, “weirdos” (чудики, chudiki) should be attempting to revive “neopagan sentiments” “on the territory of Holy Russia.”
The Patriarch called on clergy in the war-zone to “show special initiative” in eradicating any “neopagan” influence on Russian soldiers, emphasizing the Church's role in shaping their ideological mindset. He also reiterated his belief in a broader conspiracy, claiming that “the forces opposing Russia” orchestrated the war in Ukraine in order to “weaken our country and the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church.”
Since the fall of Communism, the collective search for a post-Soviet identity has lead to a burgeoning revival of old Slavic religion in both Russia and Ukraine. Often strongly nationalistic in tone, these movements have provided numerous soldiers on both sides of the conflict.
