Orthodoxy, Nationality, Autocracy?
Russia has a long tradition of religious and cultural wealth, but the arrival of a communist government in 1917 involved an attempt at eradicating religion and several restrictions on culture. Since the fall of communism, I feel that the government has reverted to the 1832 ideology of Nicholas I’s government - 'Orthodoxy, Nationality, Autocracy’.
The current Russian government allows other religions to exist in Russia, unlike the Tsarist regime, therefore the interpretation of ‘Orthodoxy’ must be adjusted, however I still feel it applies to Russia today. Though other religions are allowed, life is made difficult for them, due to the ‘Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations’ adopted in 1997. Under this law, Russia is a secular state, however Russian Orthodoxy takes priority if required. The law was created in 1990 by Gorbachev, though it took several years to pass as Yeltsin was in fact against it. Under this law, many say religions are almost as regulated as during the Soviet era, with several stringent rules restricting their actions. I believe this shows the Orthodox Church is not as separate from the state as the government wants it to appear. Though present-day Russia is far from the Tsarist strictly-Orthodox period, I feel this part of the slogan still applies.
