Prayer by order, fear and control: how Putin’s political cult is formed
24 December 16:52
ANALYSIS FROM 
The Russian Orthodox Church is openly integrated into state propaganda, turning faith into an instrument of fear and control. It no longer asks what you believe in, but rather who you pray for, what you like, and where you keep quiet. In this system, religion, digital platforms, and politics merge into a single vertical of coercion, where even silence can become a crime.
In Russia, religion is increasingly being used as a part of state propaganda and a mechanism of coercion. Pro-Kremlin telegram channels report that the Russian Orthodox Church has called on citizens to pray for Putin at least five times a day, directly linking the refusal to pray to “the risk of going to hell.”
According to the sources, a close associate of Patriarch Kirill made a corresponding appeal, asking that his words be published for a wide audience – “Orthodox and not only.”
“Decisive months and years are coming for Russia. Vladimir Vladimirovich is firmly leading the country forward to victory. […] Therefore, every Russian should pray for him fervently,” the source said.
According to him, the fall call to pray for the president three times a day is no longer sufficient.
“Those who do not pray should remember that they can go to hell for this. The choice is obvious,” he added.
A political, not a religious signal
Doctor of Philosophy, Professor, Vice-Rector of the European University Serhiy Yahodzinsky in a commentary for
“We will not dive into the internal civilizational paradigm of Russian society. The political aspect of even such a seemingly religious message is important here,” Yagodzinsky notes.
According to him, such appeals should be viewed in the broader context of total control and centralization of power in the Russian Federation.
Digital sovereignty as a form of surveillance
Yahodzinsky draws attention to Putin’s recent statements about so-called “digital sovereignty” during a major press conference.
“Putin interprets digital sovereignty as the ability to fully control the information space: his own messengers, mail services, servers within the country,” explains Yahodzinsky.
Formally, it is presented as protection from external influence, but in fact, Yahodzinsky emphasizes, it is about digital surveillance.
“If digital sovereignty is equal to digital control, this is a huge problem for citizens,” says Yagodzinsky.
According to the professor, Russia has created an environment where people are punished not only for their actions, but also for their inaction.
“You are completely in digital slavery. You will pray five times for Putin, and you will like where you need to,” Yagodzinsky notes.
Totalitarianism without formal announcement
Contemporary Russia is an example of a system that may not formally look totalitarian, but in fact is.
“This society is totalitarian because both action and inaction can be punished. It’s one thing to be punished for an action. But when you can be punished for silence, all you can do is pray,” says Serhiy Yahodzinsky.
Summarizing, the professor talks about the responsibility of society itself for the adopted model of existence.
“One can only sympathize with the citizens of the Russian Federation. But they choose this path themselves,” summarizes Yahodzinsky.
Against this background, the calls to pray for the president five times a day do not look like a religious practice, but another element of the coercive system, where faith, fear and control merge into a single instrument of power.
