On the use of religion by the moscow patriarchate to glorify russian aggression against Ukraine

The article highlights the sensitive issue of using religion as an instrument of soft power of the russian federation to ‘legitimise’ the war in Ukraine. Through the concept of ‘sacred capitals’, which combine symbolic, cultural, network elements, the mechanism of influence of the moscow patriarchate on the consciousness of Ukrainian citizens is revealed. It is proved that the greatest danger in the context of the spread of glorification rhetoric is the ‘network sacred capital’, which includes a number of religious institutions, the governing centre of which is the moscow patriarchate, as well as their individual representatives. By using general methodology, author presents an idea of the most common categories of glorifying clergy. The author emphasises that their use of religious channels to justify and recognise the legitimacy of russian aggression against Ukraine is based on their personal authority in the religious community and their affiliation with the ideas of the aggressor country. The article identifies the specific tools used by this type of persons to spread the hostile agenda. The first component of the mechanism of imposing glorification consciousness is the use of specific methods and means of glorification aimed at a wide range of recipients belonging to the group of spiritual influence. The second component of this mechanism is the use of both direct, indirect ties with russia. The third is called narrativeisation. The author separately establishes that the mechanism of glorification may involve citizens who, being under the influence of spiritual authority, consciously or as a result of targeted manipulative influence on them, contribute to the spread of justifying rhetoric

glorification, exaltation, legitimization, religion, war