Religion in Russia is an interesting topic for the sole fact that there are many different kinds of

religions practiced in this one country. However, religion has to start from somewhere, but where?
Russias largest religion, with a whopping 75% of the population belonging in this category, is Orthodox
Christian. The history of why Orthodox Christianity becomes the dominate religion dates back to the 10
th

century, where in 988, prince Vladimir sent out envoys to discover which was the best religion.
Vladimirs full-blooded pagan style of religion was soon persuaded to the Greek Orthodox brand of
Christianity. Islam is pronounced to claim 5% of Russias population, while Catholicism, Judaism, and
Buddhism manage to take up only 1% of the population combined. These are due to people from
neighboring countries moving into Russia, where practicing other religions is welcome.
Religion has played a surprisingly large role in the social development and cultural aspects of
this country. Because Russia is so heavily populated with Orthodox Christians, there are many practices
and holidays that go along with the religion. In 1917 religious holidays were banned, but because of the
enormous following of this religion, they are back; including the Russian Christmas (January 7
th
). The fall
of communism has also lead to religion thriving in aspects of Russia. Churches and monasteries are
fruitful when it comes to Russia, being in close proximity to any large group of people thanks to
Orthodox Christianity.
Since Russia is so heavily influenced by the religions occupying the country, there are a countless
number of sacred places for these religions to go. Many of the sacred places for Orthodox Christianity
are located inside of Russia, one in particular being the Uspenski Cathedral, based a 16
th
century church
located near Moscow but located in Finland. Another famous church is the Cathedral of Christ the
Saviour actually located in Moscow. As mentioned earlier, Islam is the second most popular religion and
its centers include Tatarstan and Bashkortostan. Each religion is accommodated accordingly; since
Russia is mainly an Orthodox Christian society, there are more places of worship then those of Buddhism
or Islam religion.
Russias government and its religions are not as heavily connected as one might think. There has
been no great evidence leading to the assumption that religion has played a greater role then ones self
worship in the government. Vladimir Putin, who most people know as the president of Russia, is an
Orthodox Christian, and has made not large commitments in favor of his religion. Spas TV is the only
governmental, religious fusionstreaming to 10 million households, Spas TV has signed with the
government to fuse political views in with their everyday religious programming. However; I could not
find much more on this topic.
As big of a country as Russia is, it is really quite small when you look at it from a purely religious
viewpoint. Since 75% of the entire population is Orthodox Christian, the entire country is culturally
influenced in that direction, even if you do not realize it at first. 5 million people practice Islam, but
compared to the millions more practicing Orthodox Christianity, the religious variation is relatively small.
Even smaller for those who practice Buddhism or Judaism. Russia is not un-friendly to other religions,
but because of its background, Orthodox Christianity will continue to be the largest religion, and maybe
even continue to grow.


References
Whether we believe in God? (2010, March 30). Retrieved October 28, 2014, from
http://wciom.ru/index.php?id=268&uid=13365
Basic facts about Russia: Religion. (2011, January 1). Retrieved October 29, 2014, from
http://russiapedia.rt.com/basic-facts-about-russia/religion/
Gascoigne, B. (n.d.). HISTORY OF RUSSIA. Retrieved October 29, 2014, from
http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/plaintexthistories.asp?historyid=ac14
Religion in Russia. (2013, August 11). Retrieved October 28, 2014, from
http://www.rusemb.org.uk/religion/
Sacred Destinations. (n.d.). Retrieved October 29, 2014, from http://www.sacred-
destinations.com/finland/uspenski-orthodox-cathedral
Cipriano, M. (2013, July 16). Power of religion: With Putin's help, Russian church grows as political
force. Retrieved October 29, 2014, from http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/07/12/power-religion-
with-putin-help-russian-church-grows-as-political-force/