The Russian Orthodox Church as a geopolitical instrument of Russia’s foreign policy in the Black Sea region

Resumo

This article critically examines the instrumentalization of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) by the Russian state as part of its foreign policy in the Black Sea region. While the Russian Federation is constitutionally secular, the Moscow Patriarchate functions as a de facto strategic partner of the Kremlin, projecting religious soft power and legitimizing geopolitical objectives. Drawing on primary and secondary sources, this study situates the ROC within the evolution of Russian state–church relations from the imperial period to the post-Soviet era. It highlights how the ROC advances the Russkiy mir (“Russian World”) ideology, intervenes in the ecclesiastical affairs of neighboring Orthodox states, and amplifies Kremlin narratives in international fora under the guise of defending religious freedom and traditional values. Case studies from Ukraine and Georgia illustrate the Church’s complicity in legitimizing occupation, undermining canonical order, and disseminating propaganda aligned with hybrid warfare strategies. In the Balkans, the ROC leverages Orthodox “brotherhood” to foster anti-Western sentiment and bolster Russia’s influence. Findings suggest that the ROC has become an indispensable instrument of Russia’s hybrid strategy, with profound implications for the sovereignty of Orthodox-majority states, European security, and the international order.