Russian Orthodox: Growing in churches and influence

Vladimir Putin and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill

A Roman Catholic news source reported the following:

Russia’s Orthodox Church has opened 30,000 churches over the last 30 years, although it is expected to take until 2050 to return to what it was before the 1917 revolution …

Metropolitan Hilarion said that the Orthodox Church has dedicated three churches a day since 1988, and now has 40,000. He said that it would take until 2050 to attain the 80,000 churches held before the Bolshevik Revolution took place 100 years ago.

In addition, Hilarion said that the Russian Orthodox Church now has 940 monasteries, compared to the 1500 that existed before the Soviets came to power.

Following the Bolshevik’s seizure of power, hundreds of Orthodox priests were killed, and churches and monasteries were closed and desecrated.

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Orthodox Church has undergone a dramatic resurgence, and enjoys the support of President Vladimir Putin, who is often seen on national television attending church services. https://aleteia.org/2018/01/02/russias-orthodox-church-has-opened-30000-places-of-worship-in-last-30-years/

The Russian Orthodox Church has increasing influence outside Russia as well:

A New Schism in the Orthodox World Growing as Moscow Seeks Supremacy Over Constantinople

Largely unreported events (in the Greek media) took place in Moscow in early December when Patriarch Kirill, head of the The Russian Orthodox Church hosted 380 Orthodox bishops from Russia and throughout the world, including representatives from the Slavic countries and the Near East, and ethnic Greek church leaders from Alexandria, Cyprus, Jerusalem and Albania.

The celebrations were taking place to commemorate the centennial of the restoration of the Russian Patriarchate following the Revolution of 1917 and the Russian Church went all out to make a grand affair of the spectacle– complete with a gathering with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Representatives from the entire “canonical” (or recognized) Orthodox world were present– except two.

Notably missing from the festivities was Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, whose absence was interpreted by Greek and Russian religious media as a “boycott” in exchange for Moscow’s refusal to participate in the 2016 PanOrthodox Synod in Crete.

Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens, an autocephalous church, was also absent.

The Russian Church capitalized on the opportunity, issuing numerous statements throughout the days-long celebrations and Divine Liturgies, including major press releases as Patriarchs and Archbishops arrived, one by one.

The press throughout the Orthodox world took the bait. Headlines appeared in newspapers in Ukraine, Serbia, Romania and elsewhere depicting Kirill as the self-proclaimed leader of global Orthodoxy and one by one, national church leaders coming to kiss his hand and bowing to his leadership.

Bartholomew was nowhere in sight.

Kirill’s main theme throughout the events during sermons and public speeches was “Orthodox unity,” something Bartholomew wasn’t able to establish or accomplish during the 2016 Crete synod, with four Churches missing, including Russia. …

This gathering with Putin also provided him an opportunity to present himself as the political defender of Orthodox Christianity throughout the world.

Putin bragged to the Orthodox Patriarchs that he defeated the ISIS terrorists in Syria, “including historically Christian areas.” He also had a private conversation with the Patriarch John X of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, whose base is in Damascus. http://www.pappaspost.com/new-schism-orthodox-world-growing-moscow-seeks-supremacy-constantinople/

It should be mentioned that most of the Eastern Orthodox are actually Russian Orthodox. Yet, the Patriarch of Constantinople has long been considered the “first among equals” in the Eastern Orthodox world. The current Patriarch Bartholomew has accepted an ecumenical agenda that many of the Greek Orthodox do not like (for details, see Why Should American Catholics Fear Unity with the Orthodox? (And the Protestants)).

Vladimir Putin, himself, has long maintained a close working relationship with the Russian Orthodox Church.

Vladimir Putin wants his version of the ‘Holy Roman Empire’ and is working on it. And Bible prophecy shows that Russia will lead a massive empire in the time of the end (Jeremiah 50:9,11,41-43; Isaiah 13:1, 17-19). Russia is also developing more powerful weapons (see Will Russia’s ‘Satan 2’ destroy Texas or France?). He has been considered the “defender of the faith” (see also Vladimir Putin is seen as defender of the Russian Orthodox faith) and his recent comments suggest he believes he is fulfilling that role.

Perhaps it should be mentioned that the Bible shows that the USA and its closest allies will fall, but not by Russia (cf. Daniel 11:39; see also USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses).

But that does not mean that Russia will not also have a place as a military power–it will–and ultimately it will help defeat the Beast power in Europe that will arise and one day takeover the world (Jeremiah 50:9,11,41-43; Isaiah 13:1, 17-19; cf. Daniel 11:44).

For a time, Russia will likely have a treaty with Europe (cf. Ezekiel 27:13-14 that the USA will not like)–but this will not last (cf. Daniel 11:44). Ultimately, the Bible shows that a Russian-influenced coalition will destroy much of Europe (Jeremiah 50 & 51). However, that will not happen until towards the end of the ‘Day of the Lord.’ An event well over seven years in the future from now (see When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? The ‘Day of the Lord’?).

Vladimir Putin believes he is standing for traditional Russian Orthodox values and believes that is what his country, and others as well, need.

Yet, what Russia and the rest of the world really need is the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Russia and Ukraine: Their Origins and Prophesied Future Russia in prophecy. Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end? There is also a video sermon available: Russia in the Bible and in Prophecy and a video sermonette available: Ukraine in Prophecy?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach? Here is a link to a video, also titled Is Russia the King of the North?
Ezekiel 38: For Russia & Iran in Our Day? Is Ezekiel 38 about to be fulfilled? A related video is available titled Ezekiel 38: For Russia, Ukraine, & Iran Now?
The Eurasian Union, the Kings of the East, and Bible Prophecy Is there a Eurasian union that will be formed? Is one being formed right now? Are any leaders working on that in the 21st century? Does the Bible teach that there will be a Eurasian union? If some type of Eurasian union is formed, who might it benefit and who will it destroy? A related video would be Is The Eurasian Union Rising?
Some Similarities and Differences Between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Continuing Church of God Both groups claim to be the original church, but both groups have differing ways to claim it. Both groups have some amazing similarities and some major differences. Do you know what they are?
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to three related sermons: The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.
USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses Can you point to scriptures, like Daniel 11:39, that point to the USA in the 21st century? This article does. A related sermon is titled: Do these 7 prophesies point to the end of the USA?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2018, 2019, or 2020? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2018 o 2019? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon videos: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives and Can the Great Tribulation begin before 2020? A shorter video is: Can the Great Tribulation begin in 2018?
The Times of the Gentiles Has there been more than one time of the Gentiles? Are we in it now or in the time of Anglo-America? What will the final time of the Gentiles be like? A related sermon is available and is titled: The Times of the Gentiles.
Armageddon Who is involved and when will this gathering happen? Here is also a video from Dr. Thiel, from Tel Megiddo in Israel: Armageddon. Another video is: watch Is China paving roads to Armageddon?