Mr. John Strub-Advanced Placement World History-Russian Churches

Name__________________________ AP World II: Mr. Strub

Two Russian Churches, Split by War, Reuniting

Introduction: Today, we’ll be examining recent developments involving the Russian Orthodox Church, which for many symbolizes Russian culture. Repressed during Stalinist times and merely tolerated during the post-Stalin Communist era, the Orthodox tradition has experienced resurgence in Russian life. Former president (now Prime Minister) Vladimir Putin has proudly stated that he wears an Orthodox cross or crucifix, symbolizing that he is a both a Russian leader and a believer. We’ll be looking at two articles from The New York Times online - one dealing with a reunification of Russian churches; the other with the recent death of the leader of one of these churches. Please tear into the questions in a manner that is thoughtful. Bear in mind that some questions require prior knowledge.

First…address the article located at the following address. Read the article and address the following questions.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/17/world/europe/17russia.html

What ‘godless regime’ is being referenced?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What does the signing of the canonical union represent or symbolize for some Russians?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What political goal is served by Vladimir Putin’s efforts to restore the relationship between the two Orthodox churches?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What is the ‘White’ period of Russian history?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Who founded the Russian Church Abroad (Outside Russia), and why was it considered a threat in Soviet times?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What major issue did the Russian Church Abroad (Outside Russia) have with the Russian Orthodox Church and its relationship to the Stalinist Soviet state?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Why was the Russian Orthodox Church finally able, in 2000, to canonize Czar Nicholas II and his family? Why were they considered martyrs to the faith?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
OK…now go to…
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/18/world/europe/18laurus.html

What action of the Moscow patriarch led to the split between the churches?
___________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What major issue remains after the reunification?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How are the Orthodox tradition and Russian history intertwined?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The title ‘czar’ refers to the title _________________.

If Moscow was called the ‘third Rome’, which city was the ‘second’? _________________________________________________

‘Metropolitan’ is a _______________ given to an elected church official.

What tradition did the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia defend, and how did this pave the way for reunification?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Why do you think this reunification was viewed as critical in Russia’s renaissance on the world stage as a nation and culture of international influence and power?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________