Russia: The Orthodox Connection People Power

Under communism the Russian Orthodox Church was suppressed its property confiscated, its followers ridiculed, harassed and imprisoned. But these days, a resurgent and muscular church is central to President Vladimir Putin s ideas of Russian identity an echo chamber, say critics to Kremlin policies at home and abroad. Many of Putin s opponents believe the glowing endorsements and mutual backslaps the Kremlin and the Orthodox Church give each other these days are contributing to ever more tightly de