Vladimir Rozanskij

Vladimir Putin has been in office for almost 20 years. In all likelihood, next year he will once again emerge victorious in the presidential election. Navalnyj's opposition cannot win, but reveals the dissatisfaction of young people. With Putin, the Russian government is slipping from a "corporatistic" system to a sort of "Sultanism", similar to Erdogan's in Turkey. The Orthodox Church is taking its distance.

Believer can wait up 8-9 hours to kiss the relics of the saint of Bari. On 12 July, it will move to St Petersburg. Waiting and pilgrimage are in the soul of Russian culture.

The conference begins tomorrow and continues until June 21. Joint work was blocked in 2002 over allegations of "proselytism" against the Russian Catholic Church. Change of climate after the meeting between Francis and Kirill in Havana in 2016. Russians prefer to talk about common mission to the world rather than unity of the united Church in the first 10 centuries.

From now on, theology will be a specific discipline in academic institutions, which can issue specialization and doctoral degrees. A great victory for the Russian Orthodox Church, and especially Patriarch Kirill, who championed the cause. Shaping the culture of the nation, overcoming a formal membership of the Church. The fears of secular academics.

It is the longest Russian pilgrimage: 150 km. The original icon disappeared in Stalin's time, who also destroyed the cathedral. This year the pilgrimage in conjunction with the presence of the relics of St. Nicholas from Bari. Aspersion of water and immersion in river in memory of baptism, busier than liturgy.

Today's Russia is drifting between nationalism and crisis. Prospects for future years and the destiny of Putinism. Russian liberals raise their heads and propose a new Holy Alliance with European countries and America on the historic mission of Russia, European civilization, the reception of migrants from Africa and Asia. The analysis of the economist Vladislav Inozemtsev.

The Ukrainian parliament approve laws that humiliate the Patriarchate of Moscow and favor the Kiev Patriarchate. The fight also involves the Vatican and Catholics. Ukraine, like Russia, back tracks on laws guaranteeing religious freedom.

A court sentences the young man to three and a half years in prison for offending religious feelings. He had played Pokemon Go in a church and said he was atheist. Famous TV personality Vladimir Pozner reacts to the controversy. After the of Pussy Riots incident, a 2013 law criminalises offending religious beliefs. The case has embarrassed the Orthodox Church.

The great celebrations of the end of World War II in the name of patriotism. Patriarch Kirill recalls the help of St. George, the protector of the city of Moscow, and the name of the "generalissimo" who led the Soviet army against the Nazis, Georgij Konstantinovich Zhukov. Patriotism among Catholics, even persecuted. Children's parades and awards. 55% of the population appreciates Stalin's role.

The Moscow Patriarch distances itself from the government policy but at the same time terms it "a positive gesture". The ban also concerns Catholics, who fear "new forms of discrimination". The Russian "symphony" between the throne and the altar reproduces patterns of Soviet times. The visit of the remains of St. Nicholas in Russia as a wish of unity in the faith of the undivided Church.

Moscow’s Easter gift festival is underway from 12 to 23 April in 24 downtown squares and 19 parks. Typical products from the Russian regions include cakes, honey, cheeses . . . and bells. “If we had a little more time, Sergey Semenovich and I too would gladly take a ride on the carousel," said Kirill.

For the Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow, reconciliation in Europe and around world has a religious dimension. Solving the Syrian conflict needs the cooperation of Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Working for "the baptism of China and North Korea" is indispensable. Jehovah's Witnesses are a problem.