Russian patriarch praises Putin's influence on church-state relations despite persecution concerns

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) speaks with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia during their meeting at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence, outside Moscow, on November 20, 2020. | ALEXEY NIKOLSKY/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images (The Christian Post)

 By Michael Gryboski - Posted at The Christian Post:

Published May 8, 2025

"While Kirill has been supportive of Putin, others have expressed concern over the extent of persecution in Russia, especially of Christian groups who do not belong to the Russian Orthodox Church and other religious minorities."

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church recently commended Vladimir Putin over his handling of church and state relations despite concerns from human rights advocates about religious persecution in Russia.

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow wrote a letter to the Russian president celebrating the 25th anniversary of when Putin first became head of state, calling it "a whole new era in Russia's history."

"I would like to express my profound gratitude for the relationship between Church and State that has taken shape with your active support — a relationship without precedent in our nation's history," wrote Kirill, as quoted by The Orthodox Times.

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