Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church

As we celebrate our nation's independence, it is important to ask the question: What place does patriotism play in the life of the Orthodox Christian? Bishop Hilarion (Alfaev) reflecting on recent documents produced by the Orthodox Church in Russia, shares his thoughts:

"In the year 2000 the Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church adopted a lengthy document entitled 'The Basic Social Concept', where separate chapters are dedicated to war and peace, nationalism and patriotism. The document, in particular, condemns nationalism, when stating:

...National sentiments can cause such sinful phenomena as aggressive nationalism, xenophobia, national exclusiveness and inter-ethnic enmity. At their extremes, these phenomena often lead to the restriction of the rights of individuals and nations, wars and other manifestations of violence. It is contrary to Orthodox ethics to divide nations into the best and the worst and to belittle any ethnic or civic nation. Even more contrary to Orthodoxy are those teachings which put the nation in the place of God or reduce faith to one of the aspects of national self-awareness (II.4).

While strongly condemning aggressive nationalism, the document mentions various ways in which a true Christian patriotism could be displayed:

The patriotism of the Orthodox Christian should be active. It is manifested when he defends his motherland against an enemy, works for the good of the motherland, cares for the good order of people's lives through, among other things, participation in the affairs of government. The Christian is called to preserve and develop national culture and people's self-awareness (II.3).

In examining the problem of war and peace, the Russian Orthodox Church states in its 'Basic Social Concept' that any war is a result of human sin. However, it makes an important distinction between defensive and aggressive war. The Church does not call its faithful to refuse military service and participation in a military action of defensive character. In other words, it does not proclaim pacifism as a fundamental principle:

While recognizing war as an evil, the Church does not forbid its members from participating in military action if they are aimed at defending one's neighbors or restoring justice that has been violated. In such cases war, though undesirable, is considered a forced means of action (VIII.2)."