Putin's Altar Boy
The Russian Orthodox Church and Russia's Wars of Aggression
- History & Biography
- Ethics, Culture & Social Issues
- Publisher: Fortress Press (Augsburg Fortress)
- Published: 2026
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Publisher's Description
Since its beginning in 2014, the Russo-Ukrainian War has become the most destructive war in Europe since World War II, with effects extending far beyond the continent's borders. While the conflict is geopolitical, Russia's aims extend beyond territory alone as it wages a hybrid war against Western countries that seeks to allure the Global South to a common front, led by Russia and China, against the "sinful and fallen" West. The Russian Orthodox Church is both partner and servant in this struggle. Putin's Altar Boy examines Russia's war of aggression and its ideological background in broader historical and global perspectives. Deeply held religious and historical myths influence the ideology and identity of Putin's Russia. In particular, author Juha Meriläinen traces the resurgence of the Russian Orthodox Church from a persecuted institution under Soviet Communism to a power that justifies and supports Russia's illegal war. Meriläinen's analysis consider the classic question of the relationship between church and state from the perspectives of power, ideology, morality, and money. Originally published in Finnish, Putin's Altar Boy was awarded the highly esteemed Lauri Jäntti prize in 2024 for the best Finnish-language nonfiction book published in the previous year. This Fortress edition has been updated to reflect recent events in the conflict.
Endorsements (4)
“Putin's Altar Boy offers a deeply insightful analysis of the entanglement between church and state in Russia, both historically and in the present day. A must-read for anyone seeking to understand the formative forces shaping Russian identity and its impact on the war on Ukraine. Moreover, this brilliant theological examination of religiously fueled nationalism and the role of faith communities is critical for grasping the current dynamics within--and between--the East and the West.”
“A fascinating narrative and incisive analysis of the "symphony" between President Putin's regime and Patriarch Kirill's church. While based on meticulous documentation, this book is accessible also for non-specialists. Written by a historian-churchman from Finland, a country with the world's longest shared border with Russia, the study also brings to light many accounts and sources previously unavailable for an English-speaking readership. Strongly recommended for anyone interested in the relationship between religion and politics.”
“Juha Meriläinen's book exposes the instrumentalization of religion in Russia's current politics and the ideological rationale behind its war against Ukraine. It offers a compelling overview of the nationalist myths and historical narratives on which Putin's Russia today is built -- from Eurasianism and claims of Russia's messianic destiny to the call to defend the holy Rus' and the "Russian world" against the supposedly "Satanic" West. A must-read for anyone seeking to understand the roots of Russia's aggression against Ukraine and the role interpretations of Russian Orthodoxy play in it.”
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