Entre a fé e a política: a influência da Igreja Ortodoxa nos conflitos da Rússia com a Geórgia e a Ucrânia

Abstract

The Orthodox Church holds a historically and culturally significant role in Russia, having played a fundamental part in shaping Russian identity and values over the centuries. Its close relationship with the state and its influence on both domestic and foreign policies deserve an in-depth study. Furthermore, the analysis of the Orthodox Churches in Georgia and Ukraine, as well as their branches, is essential to understanding the religious and political dynamics present in the conflicts at hand. In this regard, this dissertation aims to analyze the influence of the Orthodox Church on Russian foreign policy, with a focus on the conflicts in Georgia and Ukraine. It is qualitative research that will start with a literature review on the role of the Orthodox Church in the region, followed by a study of the cases of the two mentioned conflicts. It is concluded that the Church's conceptions have impacted the interpretation of the conflicts as well as the organizational structure of the churches in each of the evaluated countries. It is concluded that the conflicts in Georgia and Ukraine highlight the importance of the relationship between religion and politics in the construction and resolution of conflicts. The influence of religious institutions in international relations should not be underestimated, as they can act as catalysts or mitigators of tensions and misunderstandings.