True Faith or Military Propaganda? Revealing the Secrets of the Moscow Temple
● The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Temple Distorts Spiritual Values
● Weapons and Icons: What Lies Behind the Temple of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation?
● The Temple of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation: Sanctuary or Military Museum?
In Russian propaganda, Orthodoxy holds a sacred significance. Since the Soviet Union, the reputation of churches and priests has been significantly tarnished in the eyes of the rational public due to KGB representatives occupying key positions on the religious career ladder.
Since then, little has changed. The state closely collaborates with the clergy, recognizing the ease with which religion can manipulate the masses. Compliance with such wrongdoing does not align with biblical values and contradicts the Apostle Peter’s vision of a church that should present itself to God as undefiled and blameless.
However, some ignore Scripture to satisfy their mercenary needs. But let’s discuss this matter specifically, considering the main religious relic of the current regime in the country – the Temple of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation near Moscow.
The exterior of the temple is impressive with its size, tall walls, and impeccable architectural solutions. The entire ensemble resembles a real fortress. However, behind this grandeur lie numerous inconsistencies that do not fit the description of a Christian place of worship.
Construction of the temple began in 2018 on the territory of the “Patriot” Park, which serves as a reminder of the events of World War II. This makes it clear why this “Orthodox” structure was built: to nurture patriots rather than believers.
If we delve into history, it becomes apparent that this territory was the site of the decisive Moscow battle, one of the bloodiest in human history, during which the attack by Nazi Germany was repelled.
Over the years, various memorials to that victory, parks, military stores, and even military camps have been established in this area. It was precisely on this site in 2020 that the main military temple was opened, rushed to coincide with the 75th anniversary of Victory Day for symbolic reasons.
Symbolism and Strategic Role
It’s no secret that for many years, Russia has promoted the events of 1941-1945 as a national idea to implant imperialistic ambitions in its people. The temple was intended to play a strategic role here, so that with any action by the state, even a crime, it could be said, “God is with us.”
The celebration was attended by the president, the defense minister, and other military officials whose names have long been on the blacklist for Ukrainians. Let’s take a closer look at some interesting features of this architectural project.
The main bell tower stands at a height of 75 meters, precisely the number of years that have passed since the end of World War II. The diameter of the main dome is exactly 19 meters and 45 centimeters, and perhaps there’s no need to explain this symbolism.
The steps are made from remnants of fascist tanks. In the main iconostasis, there are 431 precious and semi-precious stones, representing the number of infantry divisions in the war. The number of icons is 48, symbolizing the number of months of combat in the Great Patriotic War and the Soviet-Japanese wars. On the vaults in the narthex, an image of the Holy Spirit is depicted, surrounded by 75 rays, while 1418 stars in the mosaic serve as a reminder of the number of days in the war.
The same number applies to the area of stained glass. Planks from an ancient carriage with the icon of the Non-Handmade Savior reinforce the buttstocks of Mosin rifles from 1944. And on the main doors of the temple, a sword strikes the eagle of the Third Reich. One might wonder: why so much symbolism, as it complicates the construction process? But this only further proves the political regime’s unhealthy obsession.
We’ve discussed the exterior; now, let’s enter the temple. Inside, you can see holy icons, an altar, and there’s even a mosaic with the images of Shoigu and Putin. The decorations are fairly typical, but upon closer inspection, there is an excessive number of war trophies and similar symbolism inside.
Interactions and Symbolism in Russia’s Military Temple
It is from this very pulpit that Patriarch Kirill often speaks about peace, brotherly love toward Ukrainians, and expresses condolences for the fallen, while everything around him seems to call for war. The cult of the struggle against fascism and the portrayal of Russia as a holy ideal make any decision of the state sacred (but only if the Church supports the president).
And they do it with great enthusiasm. The essence of the temple was for the faithful to pray for their army and, in doing so, achieve even more victories. But it’s interesting, what conquests could be spoken of when in 2020, no country posed a real threat to Russia?
Preparation for war was already in full swing. And it’s strange that such Orthodoxy preaches reconciliation while promising to support every soldier’s shot. Such a fusion of state and church is highly suspicious, knowing that Orthodox representatives cannot speak with Putin and his team as equals.
Clearly, religion serves as the promotion and defense of ominous ideas before the public. After all, if you call the Special Military Operation (SVO) a sacred war, everything suddenly takes on the right shade.
In the first Epistle to the Corinthians, in Chapter 8, the Apostle Paul reasoned that questionable actions of Christians could be a stumbling block for another person: “For if anyone sees you who have knowledge dining in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols?”
Here, the temple referred to is a pagan temple where spiritistic rituals were held, idols and idols were placed, and where they were worshipped as deities. And it’s worth noting that Russia’s main military temple shares similarities with such a temple.
It’s not for nothing that the face of the president and the defense minister are depicted in one of the mosaics. In Russia, Putin is regarded as an angel-liberator, a great and sinless man who saved the country.
And a person cannot be genuinely Orthodox if they deny this fact. Believing in Jesus Christ and rejecting Putin’s greatness signifies a heretical approach in the eyes of society. Eternity makes no sense if there is no Victory Day and the George Ribbon – such an idea is traced in the military temple.
Icons in the Military Temple
If you take a closer look at the icons, there’s a lot of interesting history there as well. The most revered among them include the icon of the Mother of God of Vladimir, which, according to legends, helped repel the attacks of Napoleon and Hitler. The same can be said for the icon of Our Lady of Kazan, which aided in defeating the Poles during the Time of Troubles.
The icon of Saint George the Victorious is, in fact, a stolen military symbol of the Roman Empire, with its spiritual power now claimed for this temple. The icon of Saint Alexander Nevsky, a canonized prince in Russia, is believed to have repelled attacks by the Swedes and German knights. The icon of Saint Sergius of Radonezh, a devout believer, blessed soldiers for war, and the temple he built became a spiritual stronghold during the struggle against the Tatar-Mongols.
After the start of the so-called Special Military Operation (SMO), these icons have taken on new significance, with the hope that they will help in capturing Ukraine and achieving success in the war with NATO. It’s not without reason that representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church blessed military equipment, and priests bless soldiers for a holy war, uttering completely unchristian things like the idea that through such a sacred death in the SMO, a person can immediately receive forgiveness of sins and enter heaven.
Officials threaten the world with a nuclear strike, while the armed temple prays for God’s protection for the country. Isn’t it absurd? Icon exhibitions consistently feature war correspondents. While the entire world publishes ominous footage of Russian military crimes, in the temple, there is no commentary, only attempts to pray for all servicemen.
This military temple has also become a place of tears: relatives of fallen soldiers come there to mourn them and light a candle in their memory. The military temple has become a place where killers and rapists are glorified, often citing a verse from the Holy Scripture about the highest love being to die for one’s neighbor.
Politics and Religion
Look at how skillfully they manipulate concepts. In this way, the death of a Russian soldier is equated with the highest love. Often, this same phrase was quoted by Putin himself. He also expressed interesting views on the military temple. In 2020, Putin called the construction a symbol of remembrance for the heroes of the Great Patriotic War.
In 2021, he stated that the temple is not only a place of worship for God but also a place of unity. And in 2022, during the Special Military Operation (SMO), Putin said that the military temple is a duty to those who died for the country; it is a place of memory. There is a trend from one meaning to another, and the place of God is not given any attention.
The last time Putin visited the temple was a year ago on the Day of Remembrance and Sorrow, where he met with relatives of those who died in the Great Patriotic War and laid flowers at the Eternal Flame. But for some reason, he didn’t want to talk to the mothers and wives of those who died in the SMO. So what kind of memory can we talk about if the President himself avoids it?
It turns out that the temple has two purposes: to talk about the feats of the Second World War and, on the other hand, to hide behind this screen to bless the death of the current generation, motivating them to go into battle like the glorious ancestors of the past.
Due to Putin’s dependence on political thought, the military temple lacks its religious freedom, and all the ceremonies are aimed at helping to calm the people from riots and potential disappointments. Icons are supposed to give hope that the deceased soldier is now in paradise, and therefore everything was done correctly!
Without religious support, Russia could not have carried out the ominous Special Military Operation, as propagandists in the public space vigorously defend themselves with biblical verses and the name of God, even though their actions speak of entirely opposite judgments. The Devil also quoted the Bible and can be called an angel of light. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians that being in shrines could undermine someone’s true faith.
This is exactly what the military temple in Russia, near Moscow, is—a shrine where there is no place for Jesus Christ, only a military arsenal to justify the seizure of foreign territory and make it sacred. The temple imposes patriotic ideals and seeks inspiration not in biblical stories and prayers but in past military victories, where icons are allegedly involved.
What the Military Temple in Russia Conceals
It’s important to remember that the presence of icons does not prove the righteousness of actions. Throughout history, there have been many cases where churches were destroyed by bombs, and soldiers died, even though icons were present on the walls or held by people.
Icons do not bring additional luck, but the military exploits this theme to prove its “holiness.” Idolatry in this context is when faith in God is replaced by faith in the state and its symbols.
The goal of such religious ceremonies is not to lead a person to Jesus Christ but rather to fulfill military obligations. The hypocritical behavior of priests, when they advocate for peace and bless war, only adds fuel to the fire of righteous anger.
And don’t think that only wounded soldiers or those obsessed with Putinism come to the temple. In 2021, according to statistics, more than a million people visited the temple. Concerts, meetings, exhibitions, and other events dedicated to the memory of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War were held right in this shrine, fueling the ideology of Russian nationalism and preparing society for a new war against supposed “fascism” in Ukraine.
At present, the temple is constantly raising funds to support Russian soldiers, without telling people about the sinful nature of this criminal military campaign.
Christians from other countries have expressed negative opinions about this military temple, believing that the Church should not be so closely associated with the military and should not promote war and violence. The military temple near Moscow, like Russia itself, hides behind the memory of the heroes of the Great Patriotic War to convey aggression towards other countries.
That’s why this temple can confidently be called a pagan shrine, where there is no value in the Word of God. If there were, they would not support today’s military expansion.
The Apostle Paul does not approve of being in such shrines because, by participating in such rituals, a person can destroy someone else’s soul: “And through your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ” (1 Corinthians 8:11-12).
No one knows how many people this military-temple machine may have already harmed, but it’s certain that if the Church forgets Christ, it will definitely sin against Him and face the consequences.
Jesus Christ did not establish the Church for military propaganda or to promote a cult of personality. The main thing should always remain the main thing: Jesus saves sinful people if they believe in Him. When this thought is central in the Church, it means that the Church is in its rightful place and fulfilling its Lord’s primary command!
In the New Testament, the Church is described as a place of care, spiritual support, and Christian love, and it should be like that everywhere! The Church is a pillar and ground of truth!