The Russian Orthodox power play

This morning Kommersant reported (in Russian) that a prominent council of religious associations will, for the first time, be chaired by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. The decision represents a major victory for the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and is another sign of the church’s increasing influence over the Russian state.

The Kremlin is seeking church support as a rapidly disintegrating economy has fueled internal dissent. The newly annointed Patriarch, Kirill, is believed to be more liberal and politically ambitious than his predecessor and may become a major player in the Russian government.

Still, Russia’s troubled record on religious tolerance makes the prospect of a closer relationship between church and state a troubling one for religious minorities.