VDM Lukash, C: Permeable Boundary

The role of the Russian Orthodox Church in contemporary Russian society is subject to increasing interest both in Russia and among foreign scholars. As Russia's communist past gradually becomes more distant, religion, and most notably Orthodoxy, seems to amplify its presence in the public sphere. In sharp contrast to the Soviet regime's suppression of all kinds of religious activities, the Russian state now seems to welcome a closer relationship with the Church, at least on the symbolic level. In this book I discuss perceptions of the constitutional separation between state and religion in the public debate on the school subject "The Foundations of Orthodox Culture" in Russian printed media. By analyzing a selection of texts consisting of press releases, newspaper articles and other printed contributions to the public debate, I explore how the participants in the public debate relate to the separation of religion from the state. The book may be useful to professionals and students taking interest in the role of religion in the public sphere in present-day Russia.