“Russian World” Ideology Distorts Foundations of The Gospel: 90 Leaders of European Churches Condemned Russian Religious Propaganda

The involvement of the Russian Orthodox Church in Kremlin propaganda campaigns has become a central concern for European religious leaders, who warn that Moscow’s fusion of theology and imperial politics distorts the Gospel and fuels Russia’s war against Ukraine.

At a historic gathering in Helsinki, the Conference of European Churches (CEC) became the first major international church body to formally condemn the ideology of the “Russian world.” This doctrine has been used to justify aggression, militarization, and the spiritual manipulation of believers across Eastern Europe.

Why European Churches Are Confronting the Ideology of the “Russian World”

The Helsinki meeting brought together 90 church leaders under the theme “Resisting Empire, Promoting Peace. The meeting focused on how churches are countering the ideology of the ‘Russian World.’ Participants examined how Russia’s political and religious elites have constructed a narrative that merges ultranationalism with spiritual authority, presenting the invasion of Ukraine as a divinely sanctioned duty.

Ninety participants—academics, leaders, and representatives of churches, national church councils, and ecumenical institutions—accepted the joint invitation from the CEC, the Orthodox Church of Finland, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland to explore the theme “Resisting Empire—Promoting Peace—Churches Facing the Ideology of the ‘Russian World.'”

The theme was broad, “deeply theological, ethical, spiritual, and human, blending reflections on issues of empire, peace, and violence,” according to Bishop Dagmar Winter of the Anglican Church, Vice-President of the CEC, in his welcoming address.

According to the official statement, the ideology lacks theological integrity and merges political imperialism with pseudo-religious justification. By the 2020s, it had evolved into a worldview claiming that Russia has a spiritual duty to fight the West, absorb neighboring nations, and wage what Kremlin-aligned clergy call a “holy war.”

Church leaders warned that this ideology directly contradicts Christian teaching. Its central claim—that dying in battle automatically absolves a soldier’s sins—was described as heretical, as was the portrayal of Russia as a mystical force restraining global evil.

The Russian Orthodox Church and Its Support for Kremlin Narratives

The CEC report points to a disturbing reality: the Russian Orthodox Church has become an active institutional supporter of the Kremlin’s propaganda machine. Through sermons, official statements, and public events, the Church representatives have pushed spiritual legitimacy to the invasion, suppressing internal dissent and urging clergy to follow state-aligned doctrine.

Patriarchal messages repeatedly describe Ukraine as spiritually inseparable from Russia, deny the cultural and national identity of Ukrainians, and frame Western democracy as a moral threat. For church leaders across Europe, this amounts not only to political propaganda but also to a “distortion of the Gospel at its very foundation.”

The ideology replaces Christ’s teaching of love, peace, and dignity with narratives of fear, superiority, and holy violence—marking a stark divergence from Christian ethical principles.

How Churches Plan to Counter Russian Religious Propaganda

To confront the Russian Orthodox Church’s role in the Kremlin propaganda, the CEC outlined a clear two-pillar strategy: resisting the empire and promoting peace. These efforts aim to strengthen theological literacy, encourage responsible public discourse, and support communities harmed by Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.

Key elements of the response strategy include

• Challenging the misuse of faith by Russian Orthodox leaders who declare a “holy war.”
• Developing theological resources that clearly refute the ideology of the “Russian world.”
• Strengthening democratic education within church communities to counter propaganda and disinformation.
• Calling war crimes by their proper name and advocating for accountability.
• Supporting victims of Russia’s aggression, including deported Ukrainian children and displaced civilians.

This approach emphasizes both moral clarity and practical action, ensuring that churches become active defenders of peace rather than passive observers of manipulation.

Why the “Russian World” Ideology Is a Religious Threat

CEC leaders stressed that the Kremlin’s ideological framework is not merely a political tool—it is a direct attack on the foundations of the Christian Gospel. By redefining concepts such as sacrifice, forgiveness, and righteousness, the doctrine transforms faith into a weapon of state control.

At the core of the critique lies a theological warning: no political system, nation, or ruler can be equated with the Kingdom of God. Attempts to frame Russia as a sacred guardian of global morality mirror past imperial abuses of religion and undermine the universality of Christian love.

For European churches, defending theological integrity is essential not only to protect their congregations but also to prevent the misuse of faith in future conflicts.

Toward a Faith-Based Resistance to Authoritarianism

The CEC statement marks a pivotal moment in the global religious reaction to Russia’s war. It equips churches with a clear framework for resisting authoritarian manipulation, condemning spiritual distortions, and affirming the dignity of all peoples—including Ukrainians whose identity the Kremlin seeks to erase.

By naming the role of the Russian Orthodox Church in Kremlin propaganda and outlining practical steps for action, European church leaders signal a broader movement: a commitment to defend peace, truth, and justice against ideological violence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ideology of the “Russian world”?
The ideology of the “Russian world” is a Kremlin-backed doctrine that combines nationalism and religion to justify war and imperial expansion.

How does the Russian Orthodox Church support Kremlin propaganda?
The Russian Orthodox Church supports the Kremlin propaganda by providing theological approval for the invasion and suppressing dissent within its clergy.

Why do European churches call the ideology of “Russian world” heretical?
European churches consider the ideology heretical because it distorts core Gospel teachings, particularly by portraying the war as “holy.”

How to counter the Kremlin-backed religious doctrine?
They plan to counter Russian religious propaganda, ruled as heretical, and strengthen theological literacy and support war victims.

Why is the issue of the Russian religious propaganda important for Europe?
It concerns both religious integrity and resistance to authoritarian influence across democracies. The Russian religious propaganda impacts believers, especially Orthodox Christians, across all European nations.