Theory and practice of "political Hesychasm" in Russia in the XXI century

Abstract

The article is devoted to the revival of the so-called “political hesychasm” in the Russian Federation in the 21st century. The key document defining the church’s attitude to politics, society and the state is the “Fundamentals of the Social Concept of the Russian Orthodox Church”, adopted at the Church Council in 2000. The purpose of this article is to clarify the conception of “political hesychasm” by analyzing the “Fundamentals of the Social Concept” and researches published on the issue, as well as to assess the implementation of this conception to modern political and social processes, through comparative and component analysis. The Concept seemed revolutionary for the Russian traditions of relations between church and state. For example, if the state causes citizens to sin, they are called upon to engage in civil disobedience against the sinful state. Participation in government and political activities is permitted only if these activities do not contradict the Christian faith. However, in practice, as the authoritarian regime in Russia strengthened, the Moscow Patriarchate, contrary to its social concept, became dependent on the authoritarian regime and began ideologically serving the political authorities, which contradicts not only hesychasm, but also the very essence of Christianity.