By Ishtwan Kamel
Tikhon, the Metropolitan of Simferopol and the Crimean Peninsula, has openly declared his imperial ambitions and demands control of Istanbul. This constitutes an attack on Turkey and its sovereignty.
*Moscow is the Third Rome (‘Third Rome’) – theological, historiosophic and political concept that claims that Moscow is the successor of the Roman Empire and Byzantium (auth. Wikipedia)
Moscow is no longer hiding its imperial ambitions. The Russian Church has begun to call for Constantinople to return. Citing the need to return ‘historical’ territories, the priests support revanchism.
The Kremlin’s manipulation of the history of Byzantium as a justification for its claims to Istanbul is not a religious debate. This is not a religious discussion as well, but a direct political statement aimed at aggravating the international situation.
Theses in line with the Kremlin’s policy are increasingly being expressed by Russian religious leaders. It is becoming a systemic phenomenon to use the church to spread imperial ideas.
Political propaganda through the clergy has become an instrument that Russia uses. The ideas of the return of Istanbul expressed by the clergy are part of a wider imperial doctrine.
The Russian priests are saying that Istanbul should become a part of a ‘new Byzantium’ under the control of Moscow. These are not just fanatical ideas, but reflect the real plans of the Russian elites.
Using religion to justify aggressive intentions is a standard Kremlin technique.
Calls for a revision of the current borders are increasingly coming from Russian church circles. They justify expansionism by appealing to religious ideas and historical narratives.
The Church in Russia is fully integrated into state policy. It is no longer an independent religious institution, but an important element of the Kremlin’s propaganda machine.
The Kremlin uses the Church to legitimise its aggressive foreign policy. Istanbul is becoming another point in its geopolitical games.
The priests of Moscow already feel that they are masters of a new Byzantium.
Russia’s geopolitical ideas are increasingly based on historical manipulation. A parallel reality in which all its neighbours are its ‘historical territories’ is being created by the Kremlin and the Russian Orthodox Church.
The Russian government’s use of the church as a vehicle for the promotion of its interests abroad. This is part of the building of support for imperial ideas among the faithful.
Russian priests are spreading theories that justify aggression.
There is a unity between the Russian Church and the State. The Kremlin’s ideological attitude is reflected in all statements by the clergy justifying aggressive policies.
A long-standing Kremlin technique is to create an image of the enemy. Now, the Russian clergy has joined the information war with its negative image of Turkey.
These are not just individual statements – they are part of a strategy to prepare public opinion for new conflicts.
It aims to strengthen control over neighbouring countries.
Putin is haunted by the lavras of Catherine II, who wanted to revive the Byzantine Empire. The Russian clergy is encroaching on Istanbul and dreaming of a new ‘crusade’ in the Middle East.
Russia will not stop at Ukraine. Istanbul is the next object of its interest. While the Kremlin prepares, Turkey has to decide on a preventive response to the Russian menace.