Orthodox yes-men
THE upper echelons of the Russian Orthodox Church have long managed to combine the worst aspects of the post-Communist era (Russian chauvinism and shady business practices) with the worst of the old (conspiratorial secrecy and an unhealthy complicity with government). But the church, it seems, is unbothered by this image. At the latest council of bishops, held every two years in Moscow, burly men in mafia-mauve jackets with badges marked “security” on their shoulders made sure that prying journalists were kept well away from the assembled 133 prelates.
This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline “Orthodox yes-men”
From the April 5th 1997 edition
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