Putin鈥檚 Favourite Monastery
The island monastery of Valaam in northern Russia is a beacon for orthodox believers and a favourite of President Putin. But all is not well with the island's inhabitants.
The island monastery of Valaam in northern Russia is a beacon for orthodox believers and a favourite of President Putin.
He visits with his friend Silvio Berlusconi and has facilitated the donation of a luxury yacht to the monks.
But all is not well with the island's inhabitants. Many resent the lavish lifestyles of some of the prominent clergy and complain that they face eviction by the church from land they thought was their home.
With the recent convictions of the Pussy Riot protestors and a new law going through parliament outlawing blasphemy, Lucy Ash reports on the growing assertiveness of the church in Russia.
(Image: Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin lighting a candle. Credit: ALEXEI NIKOLSKY/AFP/Getty Images)
Last on
More episodes
Previous
Russia's Far Right
For years, far right Russian skinheads have been accused of hate crimes against immigrants in big cities like Moscow and St Petersburg.听Now, with the authorities beginning to jail the supremacist gangs they deem to be responsible, the skinheads are vowing to fight back by becoming a more dominant political force.听The 大象传媒's Tom Esslemont has been finding out what drives Russia's far right.听
听
听
Broadcasts
- Thu 25 Oct 2012 08:05GMT大象传媒 World Service Online
- Thu 25 Oct 2012 12:05GMT大象传媒 World Service Online
- Thu 25 Oct 2012 15:05GMT大象传媒 World Service Online
- Thu 25 Oct 2012 19:05GMT大象传媒 World Service Online
- Fri 26 Oct 2012 01:05GMT大象传媒 World Service Online
- Sat 27 Oct 2012 03:05GMT大象传媒 World Service Online
Download this programme
Subscribe to this programme or download individual episodes