Putin's Twisted Faith: How Power and Superstition Shape Russia's Religious Identity

Former Orthodox priest Andrei Kordochkin has criticised Vladimir Putin's religiosity as a mix of power, superstition, and sexual violence. He argues that the Russian leader's beliefs are shaped by a post-Soviet view of masculinity that values dominance above all else. Meanwhile, the Russian Orthodox Church continues to align itself closely with Putin's political and military ambitions.

Putin's relationship with religion appears deeply tied to control and superstition. Kordochkin claims the president sees Jesus Christ as weak, once mocking Saints Boris and Gleb for rejecting violence. His understanding of God is reportedly influenced by a distorted, hyper-masculine ideology that glorifies strength.

The Russian Orthodox Church, led by Patriarch Kirill, has actively reinforced Putin's narratives since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. In February 2022, Kirill composed a prayer for 'Holy Russia' that echoed Putin's claim of a unified Russian people, denying Ukrainians their right to statehood. Priests who refused to recite it faced punishment. Kirill also framed the war as a defence of 'traditional Christian values' against the West, while Putin publicly praised him on occasions like his 17th anniversary in office in 2026.

Putin's superstitions extend beyond doctrine. Reports suggest he once used animal testing to decide where to hold a church ceremony. He also avoids naming his political adversary, Alexei Navalny, believing that speaking a name grants it power.

Kordochkin stresses that true responsibility in Russian society can only emerge when truth is spoken and justice is served. He points to post-war Europe, where forgiveness and reconciliation followed accountability—not empty declarations of faith. The phrase 'We are Russians! God is with us!'—often used by patriots—is seen as a dangerous distortion of biblical prophecy, one that fuels violence rather than moral reflection.

The Russian Orthodox Church remains a key ideological force in justifying the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Its leadership, under Kirill, continues to support Putin's vision of a unified Russian identity while suppressing dissent. Kordochkin's critique highlights a system where religion serves power, not truth—and where accountability remains absent.