In the ideology of the “Russian world,” nationalism is effectively becoming an alternative to the Gospel. Rather than seeing salvation through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, salvation is increasingly seen as lying in the unity of a sacralized geopolitical space.

This was stated in an interview with Delfi by Gintaras Sungaila, PhD, a priest and director of the Orthodox Christian Institute of Education and Research in Vilnius.

According to Sungaila, when Christianity becomes intertwined with nationalist ideology, the focus shifts away from what the Gospel has brought to humanity. The cross itself, along with Christianity, becomes almost an idol, a symbol of a particular political force. It is then used to win votes in elections or justify political actions.

“When people in the West speak of Christian nationalism, they often mean precisely such ideologies as the ‘Russian world,’ imperialist projects that seek to extend the culture and power of one state over other countries while emphasizing the exceptional status of a particular nationality,” the priest stressed.

He cited the concept of the “triune Holy Rus’,” which is modeled on the Holy Trinity.

“And this is where nationalist ideology effectively begins to serve as an alternative to the Gospel. Instead of seeing salvation through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, people begin to see it in the unity of a supposedly holy, sacralized geopolitical space.

“In Russia, we have witnessed a similar transformation, particularly since 2010, as the religion of the majority gradually turned into an ideological system promoted with the help of the state,” Gintaras Sungaila said.