<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<p>This article analyses the range of positions among Evangelicals in the context of Russia’s attack on Ukraine. The “silence” characterizes evidence of the evangelicals’ strategies that had long been developed in the context of continued marginalization of religious minorities by the Russian authorities, with the state’s determination to create a loyal contingent of religious leaders. Some of the Evangelical leaders who were close to the centres of power were caught in a so-called trap of patriotism and have been compelled to demonstrate their support and solidarity to officials. However, public silence is far from heterogeneous and has many shades and nuances. This article analyses the anti-war statements of Evangelical leaders and shadow communication strategies in different evangelical communities. Particular attention is paid to a “guide” who suggested that Evangelical Christians-Baptists in Russia should take a consistent position, based on theological and political arguments, in Russia’s war against Ukraine.</p>
</abstract>

This article analyses the range of positions among Evangelicals in the context of Russia’s attack on Ukraine. The “silence” characterizes evidence of the evangelicals’ strategies that had long been developed in the context of continued marginalization of religious minorities by the Russian authorities, with the state’s determination to create a loyal contingent of religious leaders. Some of the Evangelical leaders who were close to the centres of power were caught in a so-called trap of patriotism and have been compelled to demonstrate their support and solidarity to officials. However, public silence is far from heterogeneous and has many shades and nuances. This article analyses the anti-war statements of Evangelical leaders and shadow communication strategies in different evangelical communities. Particular attention is paid to a “guide” who suggested that Evangelical Christians-Baptists in Russia should take a consistent position, based on theological and political arguments, in Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Diversity of Shades of Silence: Russian Evangelicals during the War in Ukraine

Review of Ecumenical Studies Sibiu

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":"Diversity of Shades of Silence: Russian Evangelicals during the War in Ukraine"}

This article analyses the range of positions among Evangelicals in the context of Russia’s attack on Ukraine. The “silence” characterizes evidence of the...

Diversity of Shades of Silence: Russian Evangelicals during the War in Ukraine

Published Online: Apr 08, 2024

Page range: 478 - 504

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ress-2023-0030

Keywords
Evangelicals in Russia, Free Churches, Anti-War Movement, Christian Pacifism, War against Ukraine

© 2023 Nadezhda Beliakova et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Diversity of Shades of Silence: Russian Evangelicals during the War in Ukraine

Published Online: Apr 08, 2024

Page range: 478 - 504

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ress-2023-0030

KeywordsEvangelicals in Russia, Free Churches, Anti-War Movement, Christian Pacifism, War against Ukraine

© 2023 Nadezhda Beliakova et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
Evangelicals in Russia, Free Churches, Anti-War Movement, Christian Pacifism, War against Ukraine