Russians believe Orthodox Church needs protection, poll finds
May 29, 2012
Nearly half of all Russians believe that the Orthodox Church is under attack, according to a new poll.
In a survey by the Vtsiom Center, 46% of respondents said that the Orthodox Church needs protection against public attacks, such as the series of media reports critical of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, while 37% saw no reason for such protection. A majority of respondents—53%--approved of Patriarch Kirill’s decision to convene a public demonstration in defense of the Orthodox Church, while only 9% opposed that event.
A slight majority of the Russians surveyed, 52%, identified themselves as members of the Orthodox Church. The 2nd-largest religious group, at 18%, was Muslim. Only 15% of the respondents said that they were non-believers, although another 28% said they were indifferent.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: Justin8110 -
May. 29, 2012 8:04 PM ET USA
May the good Lord protect and defend the Orthodox from both the twin evils of Islam and Secularism/indifferentism. It would be a shame if Orthodoxy were to dissappear in Russia. I would love them in union with us Catholics until then may God protect them. Orthodoxy and Russia went hand in hand until the Bolshevik revolution. I'm sure there are powerful secularist forces worldwide trying to stem Russia's return to a robust Orthodox Faith.
