Overview

'An original, and in some areas unexpected, way of shedding light on this critical subject.' Edward Stourton, journalist and presenter of BBC Radio 4's The World at One Why is the Russian Church supporting Putin in his war against Ukraine? Why does the Patriarch of Moscow believe that history is on Russia's side? And what are the implications for Christianity and Christian culture in the West? These are among the vital questions addressed in Holy Russia? Holy War? Written by Katherine Kelaidis, an internationally respected historian who is also an Orthodox believer, this timely book examines the way history and religion are being used to justify Putin's 'special military operation' in Ukraine. Kelaidis shows how Russia's understanding of its past continues to shape and direct the way it sees its future. This, she argues, is not only a problem for Ukraine, but also a problem for all who value freedom, democracy, tolerance, and the defence of human rights. Reading Holy Russia? Holy War? will enhance your knowledge of why the defence of Ukraine is also the defence of Western freedom and values. It will also help you to see how differing views of the past can radically affect what happens in the present, how religion can so easily become corrupted at the service of militant nationalism, and how we must guard against it, wherever it appears. Contents PART ONE: Shadows of the past PART TWO: Who is Patriarch Kirill and why is he dangerous? PART THREE: This is not just a problem for Ukraine PART FOUR: The war will end but the causes and consequences will remain, so what can be done? CONCLUSION: Two modern Russian saints

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Reviews

The role of religion in the war in Ukraine is clearly a hugely important dimension of the story, but it has received relatively little attention in our press coverage and political debate; this treatment is an original, and in some areas unexpected, way of shedding light on this critical subject. -- Edward Stourton, journalist and presenter of BBC Radio 4's The World at One A valuable guide to the religious dimensions of the war between Russia and Ukraine - past and present - beautifully delivered in a brisk and lively prose that is bound to engage and inform both specialists and the general public. -- Alexander Kitroeff, Professor Emeritus of History at Haverford College and author of Greek Orthodoxy in America An informed and incisive response to the war and the crises it has caused. -- Cyril Hovorun, Professor of Ecclesiology, International Relations and Ecumenism, Sankt Ignatios Foundation, Stockholm, Sweden Brings into sharp focus otherwise disparate and often bifurcated dimensions of a complex subject overly simplified in the West. -- John Chryssavgis, theological advisor to the Ecumenical Patriarch and author of Light Through Darkness Understanding the present depends on how we see history - and history does not have a single reading. This is a timely, prescient and informative book that helps western observers to look through an Eastern Orthodox lens at current crises. -- Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds, England Kelaidis argues persuasively that Russia's war against Ukraine has religious and moral underpinnings with dangerous implications far beyond its borders. She writes evocatively and engagingly to explain the twisted interpretations of history that are motivating both Vladimir Putin and his ecclesiastical accomplice, Patriarch Kirill. -- John A. Jillions, Visiting Professor of Religion and Culture, The Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies, Cambridge, England, and former Chancellor, The Orthodox Church in America

The role of religion in the war in Ukraine is clearly a hugely important dimension of the story, but it has received relatively little attention in our press coverage and political debate; this treatment is an original, and in some areas unexpected, way of shedding light on this critical subject. * Edward Stourton, religion journalist and presenter of BBC radio's Sunday and The World at 1 *

The role of religion in the war in Ukraine is clearly a hugely important dimension of the story, but it has received relatively little attention in our press coverage and political debate; this treatment is an original, and in some areas unexpected, way of shedding light on this critical subject. * Edward Stourton, journalist and presenter of BBC Radio's Sunday and The World at 1 * An informed and incisive response to the war and the crises it has caused. * Cyril Hovorun, Professor of Ecclesiology, International Relations and Ecumenism, Sankt Ignatios Foundation, Stockholm, Sweden * Brings into sharp focus otherwise disparate and often bifurcated dimensions of a complex subject overly simplified in the West. * John Chryssavgis, author of Light Through Darkness * Understanding the present depends on how we see history - and history does not have a single reading. This is a timely, prescient and informative book that helps western observers to look through an Eastern Orthodox lens at current crises. * Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds, England *

The role of religion in the war in Ukraine is clearly a hugely important dimension of the story, but it has received relatively little attention in our press coverage and political debate; this treatment is an original, and in some areas unexpected, way of shedding light on this critical subject. -- Edward Stourton, journalist and presenter of BBC Radio 4's The World at One A valuable guide to the religious dimensions of the war between Russia and Ukraine - past and present - beautifully delivered in a brisk and lively prose that is bound to engage and inform both specialists and the general public. -- Alexander Kitroeff, Professor Emeritus of History at Haverford College and author of Greek Orthodoxy in America An informed and incisive response to the war and the crises it has caused. -- Cyril Hovorun, Professor of Ecclesiology, International Relations and Ecumenism, Sankt Ignatios Foundation, Stockholm, Sweden Brings into sharp focus otherwise disparate and often bifurcated dimensions of a complex subject overly simplified in the West. -- John Chryssavgis, theological advisor to the Ecumenical Patriarch and author of Light Through Darkness Understanding the present depends on how we see history - and history does not have a single reading. This is a timely, prescient and informative book that helps western observers to look through an Eastern Orthodox lens at current crises. -- Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds, England Kelaidis argues persuasively that Russia's war against Ukraine has religious and moral underpinnings with dangerous implications far beyond its borders. She writes evocatively and engagingly to explain the twisted interpretations of history that are motivating both Vladimir Putin and his ecclesiastical accomplice, Patriarch Kirill. -- John A. Jillions, Visiting Professor of Religion and Culture, The Institute for Orthodox Christian Studies, Cambridge, England, and former Chancellor, The Orthodox Church in America A brilliant expose of the transformation of the Russian Orthodox Church into Putin's propaganda machine. -- Sergei Chapnin, Senior Fellow at the Orthodox Christian Studies Center, Fordham University, New York City

The role of religion in the war in Ukraine is clearly a hugely important dimension of the story, but it has received relatively little attention in our press coverage and political debate; this treatment is an original, and in some areas unexpected, way of shedding light on this critical subject. * Edward Stourton, journalist and presenter of BBC Radio's Sunday and The World at 1 * A valuable guide to the religious dimensions of the war between Russia and Ukraine - past and present - beautifully delivered in a brisk and lively prose that is bound to engage and inform both specialists and the general public. * Alexander Kitroeff, Professor Emeritus of History at Haverford College and author of Greek Orthodoxy in America * An informed and incisive response to the war and the crises it has caused. * Cyril Hovorun, Professor of Ecclesiology, International Relations and Ecumenism, Sankt Ignatios Foundation, Stockholm, Sweden * Brings into sharp focus otherwise disparate and often bifurcated dimensions of a complex subject overly simplified in the West. * John Chryssavgis, theological advisor to the Ecumenical Patriarch and author of Light Through Darkness * Understanding the present depends on how we see history - and history does not have a single reading. This is a timely, prescient and informative book that helps western observers to look through an Eastern Orthodox lens at current crises. * Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds, England *

Author Information

Katherine Kelaidis (Author) Katherine Kelaidis is a writer and historian. She is the Director of Research and Content at the National Hellenic Museum in Chicago, and an associate fellow of the Institute of Orthodox Christian Studies, Cambridge, England. A senior correspondent for Religion Dispatches, she also serves on the editorial board of the Wheel an independent journal of Orthodox Christian thought. Her current work focuses on contemporary Orthodox Christian identity in geopolitics and the role of historical memory.

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