Church and Faith: Priests, Parishioners, and the State
The Church in the Russian provinces has found itself embroiled in debates about war, government, and freedom of conscience. This collection, "NotMoscow Speaking," features materials about priests who spoke out against the war and paid the price, about children in Orthodox schools, about crumbling churches, and about people seeking faith outside state institutions.
2024
"The Church must be for the people, not for the princes."
A priest who spoke out against the war talks about "serfdom" in the Russian Orthodox Church and disputes with parishioners.
2025
"My Church is sick"
The story of a Samara priest who was forced out of his church for his anti-war posts and decided to become a psychologist.
2024
God's Word vs. the Word of Authority
About Orthodox priests in Russia, who, with the outbreak of war, are forced to choose between the word of God and the word of their superiors.
2024
In the land of the old faith
About the Old Believers of the Nizhny Novgorod region and their attempts to preserve what has remained unchanged for centuries.
2024
In Memory of Lyapunov: The Story of the Cracked Temple
In the 800-year-old Ryazan village of Isady, a church built in memory of Lyapunov, the first people's militia, is being destroyed.
2025
Rights of non-believers
A parable about the miracles and martyrs of the Nizhny Novgorod Temple of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
2025
Priest in zero gravity
How does a priest from a small Siberian town live, who was excommunicated from the church a year ago for his anti-war stance?
2024
Conflict at an Orthodox school: A child became a victim of bullying.
A story about bullying at an Orthodox school in Perm: a teacher kicked a student out of class, accusing him of insubordination.
2025
Protest through escapism
Why do supporters of the "healer" Lada-Rus attract the attention of security forces?