Orthodox Christianity is one of the world's major religions, and
the Russian Orthodox Church is by far its largest denomination. Few
know its history and spiritual richness, however. Neil Kent's
comprehensive new book fills that gap. The Russian Orthodox
Church's Eastern roots, including its dogma, canons, and practices,
are explored, along with the political and military contexts in
which it carried out its mission over the centuries. Hemmed in
between the Catholic powers of pre-Reformation Europe in the West,
the Mongol steppe empires to the East, and the Islamic
civilizations to the South, Russia and its Church found themselves
in a difficult position during the Middle Ages. The Russian
Orthodox Church's greatest strength was in the spiritual power of
its liturgy, prayerfulness, icons, and monastic life. But even as
the Church consolidated its authority under its own metropolitan,
and later patriarch, it came into conflict with political rulers
who sought to undermine it. After defeating foreign challenges, the
Church underwent a painful reformation and schism, finally coming
under government control. The Church survived this "Babylonian
Captivity," and, in philosophical and spiritual terms, flourished
under tsarist rule while still facing rising opposition. The fall
of the monarchy in 1917 led to the Church's brief rejuvenation, but
communist rule spelled relentless persecution with little respite
at home and a lively emigre church carrying Russian traditions
abroad. In post-Soviet times, however, the Church enjoyed an
extraordinary resurrection and, benefiting from the spiritual
richness and reunion with the Russian Orthodox Church abroad, once
again became a spiritual pillar of the Russian people and a beacon
of hope and Christian values, not only in Russia but anywhere it is
currently practiced.
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