People will argue that the Orthodox Christianity in Russia really is not a legitimate religious practice, but simply a cultural one. That people there are not really Christians because the religion with which they identify is identified with only because it is the culture of their country, not their personal faith. But to argue as such really misses some important points.
Yes, it is true that the Christian Orthodox faith is the culture of the nation of Russia. And I cannot overemphasize just how valuable that is. Those in the US cannot conceive of or understand what this means. The USA was founded on rugged individualism and religious freedom. But both of these things are contrary to the Christian faith, but in different ways. We are not rugged individuals. The Christian is part of the body of Christ and should be involved in a very regular basis in the life of the church. This means weekly communion (at least), and living the calendar of the church.
The situation in Russia has that as its lifeblood. While it may be true that many there do not practically live out the Orthodox life, what is true is that that life of community and church as center is. I have heard that the common, everyday Russian, when walking by a church, will cross himself, religious or not. This is amazing. This means that even the non religious, regular guy on the street, has reverence to the church in his blood.
The very positive end to this is in the massive power of influence the church will have on the lives of people. The church is not viewed as a small sliver of ones existence, that is given a cursory nod, maybe once a week, or maybe even just on Christmas or Pascha (Easter). For many Americans, religion is relegated to a personal relationship with Jesus, that may or may not involve church attendance, but is definitely something that is kept to ones self.
In Russia, the church is the ebb and flow of life. In smaller towns, this is seen even in the architecture of the city. The church is actually the center of town.
It really comes down to what is central, what is foundational, what is the basis of society, even at the subconscious level. Russia has retained that foundation of church, even through the horrors of the Soviet era. Unfortunately, America, if it had it at one time, has walked far away from that kind of foundation.
Yes, it is true that the Christian Orthodox faith is the culture of the nation of Russia. And I cannot overemphasize just how valuable that is. Those in the US cannot conceive of or understand what this means. The USA was founded on rugged individualism and religious freedom. But both of these things are contrary to the Christian faith, but in different ways. We are not rugged individuals. The Christian is part of the body of Christ and should be involved in a very regular basis in the life of the church. This means weekly communion (at least), and living the calendar of the church.
The situation in Russia has that as its lifeblood. While it may be true that many there do not practically live out the Orthodox life, what is true is that that life of community and church as center is. I have heard that the common, everyday Russian, when walking by a church, will cross himself, religious or not. This is amazing. This means that even the non religious, regular guy on the street, has reverence to the church in his blood.
The very positive end to this is in the massive power of influence the church will have on the lives of people. The church is not viewed as a small sliver of ones existence, that is given a cursory nod, maybe once a week, or maybe even just on Christmas or Pascha (Easter). For many Americans, religion is relegated to a personal relationship with Jesus, that may or may not involve church attendance, but is definitely something that is kept to ones self.
In Russia, the church is the ebb and flow of life. In smaller towns, this is seen even in the architecture of the city. The church is actually the center of town.
It really comes down to what is central, what is foundational, what is the basis of society, even at the subconscious level. Russia has retained that foundation of church, even through the horrors of the Soviet era. Unfortunately, America, if it had it at one time, has walked far away from that kind of foundation.
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