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A Sacred Shield: The Historical Roots of Symphonic Securitisation and the Katechonic Role of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Russo-Ukrainian War

Supervisors: Kataryna Wolczuk and Mark Webber

This research project explores the evolving relationship between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian state through the lens of a new conceptual framework: symphonic securitisation. Building on both securitisation theory and the Orthodox notion of symphonia, the study introduces symphonic securitisation to describe a distinctive form of co-produced security discourse in which religious and political actors collaborate to construct existential threats. The project examines how this framework operates in contemporary Russia, with particular attention to Patriarch Kirill's prominent role in legitimising the invasion of Ukraine. It also considers how the concept of the katechon, drawn from early Christian theology and used to signify a restraining force against chaos, has been appropriated in modern Russian theopolitical narratives to portray the Church and state as bulwarks against Western liberalism, moral decline, and geopolitical disorder.

The project adopts a historically grounded approach, tracing the development of Church–state relations from the late Soviet period to the present day. It argues that the contemporary alignment between Patriarch Kirill and the Kremlin is not simply a continuation of authoritarian co-option, but the result of a complex and evolving theological-political partnership. By analysing key speeches, sermons, official Church documents, and political texts, the research reveals how religious discourse has become embedded in Russia's national security identity and foreign policy justification.

Through this analysis, the thesis contributes to several academic debates. First, it extends securitisation theory by introducing a theological dimension, demonstrating how non-state religious actors can actively participate in the construction of security narratives. Second, it challenges binary accounts of Church–state relations in Russia, showing that the Church is not merely an instrument of the state but a co-author of its ideological and strategic worldview. Finally, it provides an original interpretation of how the katechon is used to theologically legitimise state authority, portraying the Church–state alliance as a necessary restraint against perceived internal and external threats.

Contact details:

Email: FLB046@student.bham.ac.uk