On the 30th of September the Russian Church made a public
statement confirming its support for Russian military involvement in Syria. The
statement then referenced the destruction of Christian communities by terrorist
groups within Syria and the traditional role of Russia as a protector of the
Christian population of the Middle East. Imperial Russia certainly considered
itself the heir to Byzantium and as such made efforts to preserve the Christian
community in formerly Byzantine territory. The most obvious example of the use
of that role was the costly Crimean War of 1953-1856. What is most interesting
and perhaps troubling is the religious rhetoric used in the statement, “The fight against
terrorism is a holy struggle/fight and today our country is perhaps the
most active force in the world to combat terrorism”.[1]
The support of Orthodox hierarchs for (broadly defensive) military campaigns
waged by orthodox countries or earlier the empire is standard. Several
Patriarchs of Constantinople even allowed the melting down of precious
liturgical vessels from the Churches of Constantinople in order to finance
campaigns. Leo of Chalcedon (11th C) is the only recorded example
that took exception to this practice and was excommunicated for his position.
The use of religious rhetoric such as that quoted above however, was usually
confined to the battlefield.[2]
There are many parallels between modern Russia and the Byzantine Empire, the
most obvious being the level of cooperation between the Church and State.
Another example is the role of the Russian head of state as a kind of
sanctified autocracy. In the aftermath of the Volgograd bombings for example,
the internet was abuzz with rumours of Putin’s (alleged) plan to annihilate Mecca
in defence of Christianity in the same way that Emperor Nikephoros’s
contemporaries believed he would.[3]
The description of the struggle against terrorism as Holy is problematic from
an Orthodox Christian point of view. Although the Church has a number of
military saints the three most venerated ( George Demetrius and Theodore the
Tyro) were accorded the status of Saints because they confessed Christianity,
rejected their military duties and were martyred and not because of any valiant
military exploit. The language of the Holy Struggle within Orthodoxy is common
but used in a spiritual sense as a fight against passions and demons. No
violent action can be considered Holy according to the Orthodox tradition, St Athanasius (298-373) wrote
“One is not supposed to kill, but killing the enemy in battle is both lawful
and praiseworthy. For this reason individuals who have distinguished themselves
in war are considered worthy of great honors, and monuments are put up to
celebrate their deeds. Thus, at one particular time, and under one set of
circumstances, an act is not permitted, but when time and conditions necessitate
it, it is both allowed and condoned.” [4]
Praiseworthy is about as far as the Byzantine tradition took killing, provided
it is carried out according to the Just War principles laid out in the Taktika.[5]
The word Holy implies that the undertaking sanctifies those who carry it
out as with Crusade or Jihad ideology. For the Byzantine view of this kind of
meritorious violence we need look no further than Constantine Porphyrogenitus’
De Administrando Imperio that categorizes the
belief that “he
who slays an enemy or is slain by an enemy enters into paradise” as “nonsense”.[6] So what are we to think of
the recent announcement? Is it perhaps simply a poor choice of words or maybe a
deliberate manipulation of religious language in order to galvanize Christian
support against an aggressive infidel enemy? Russia is cultivating the image of its Imperial past as the
protector of Christians in the Middle East whatever its motive may be. The
arguably “expansionist” policies of the modern Russian State in Crimea and Ukraine
are reminiscent of the Imperial years preceding the Crimean War. Yesterday
Russian forces attacked American backed Syrian rebels, Senator John McCain and
Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina immediately advised the
shooting down of Russian aircraft to protect anti-Assad U.S allies. The
situation is as serious as it is familiar.
[1] http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=60391
trans. D.Williams
[2] “Brothers,
do not be troubled by your enemies numbers for, God willing, one will chase
thousands. Let us sacrifice ourselves to God for the salvation of our brothers.
Let us take the Martyrs’ crown so the future will applaud us and God will give
us our reward.” Confessor,
Theophanes. Byzantine and Near Eastern History, AD 284-813. P.19.
Analecta Orientalia
14 (1937): 41–64.
[4] Swift, L. J., The Early Fathers on War and Military Service. Wilmington, DA:
Michael Glazier, 1983.p.95
[5] VI, Leo. The Taktika of Leo VI. Translated by George T.
Dennis. Washington: Dumbarton Oaks, 2010.
[6] Porphyrogenitus
Constantine, De Administrando Imperio, Trans. R j. Jenkins (Washington 1985),p 79.
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