Archpriest defines Orthodox role in Europe

A senior Russian Orthodox priest urged Russia to “fulfil its Christian mission”, and uphold eternal values as Europe declines, writes Jonathan Luxmoore.

“Russia is the third Rome – the only centre of non-enslaved civilisation still capable to showing itself to be Christian,” said Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, director of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Church-Society Commission. “Our patriotism … means understanding the importance of the unique Christian mission which, I’m convinced, our people are destined for,” he told the online Politrussia news agency.

Christianity formed Europe, he said, but “Alas, this is not Europe. It is Babylon – or at least Rome in a late period of decline.”