by Dmitry Adamsky (Author)
A
nuclear priesthood has arisen in Russia. From portable churches to the
consecration of weapons systems, the Russian Orthodox Church has been
integrated into every facet of the armed forces to become a vital part
of Russian national security, politics, and identity. This extraordinary
intertwining of church and military is nowhere more visible than in the
nuclear weapons community, where the priesthood has penetrated all
levels of command and the Church has positioned itself as a guardian of
the state's nuclear potential. Russian Nuclear Orthodoxy
considers how, since the Soviet collapse in 1991, the Church has worked
its way into the nuclear forces, the most significant wing of one of
the world's most powerful military organizations.
Dmitry
Adamsky describes how the Orthodox faith has merged with Russian
national identity as the Church continues to expand its influence on
foreign and domestic politics. The Church both legitimizes and
influences Moscow's assertive national security strategy in the
twenty-first century. This book sheds light on the role of faith in
modern militaries and highlights the implications of this phenomenon for
international security. Ultimately, Russian Nuclear Orthodoxy interrogates the implications of the confluence of religion and security for other members of the nuclear club, beyond Russia.
