“The Rise of the Kremlin Patriarch: Putin’s Transformation from Leader to Divinely Anointed Royalty”

Title: Putin’s Rise to Royalty: How Vladimir Putin’s Desire for Power and Divinity Led to a Personality Cult

In recent times, Vladimir Putin’s public image has undergone a significant transformation, transforming him into a demigod-like figure. The Russian president’s annual press conference last month saw him boasting about his skills, rarely cracking a smile, and even claiming that he no longer jokes as much. This dramatic shift in his public persona has left many experts in shock, as Putin’s former speechwriter, Abbas Galiamov, noted, “We couldn’t even imagine that something like this could happen.”

It is essential to understand the context in which Putin’s personality cult has emerged. Russian nationalists and ideologues have been promoting a personality cult around Putin for years, and Kremlin Chief Vyacheslav Volodin declared state policy along these lines in October 2014, stating, “With Putin, there is Russia; There is Russia. Without Putin, there would be no Russia today.”

Moreover, the Russian Orthodox Church has played a significant role in promoting Putin’s divine qualities. The Russian Orthodox Cossack Union built a monument to “Russian Tsar” Putin in St. Petersburg shortly after the annexation of Crimea, featuring a bronze statue of the president, naked from the waist up, with a robe draped over his shoulders. While Putin denies efforts to declare him the new czar, his fans tell him that everyone loves him, and he tends to disregard the notion that he is more than just a figurehead.

Recent events have shown that Putin has sought to strengthen his connection to the Russian Orthodox Church. Priests and bureaucrats have devised new initiatives, such as assigning Orthodox priests to work in schools and universities. The Russian Orthodox Metropolitan Yevgeny even suggested assigning priests to work with journalists from various media outlets.

Olga Bychkova, a long-time Kremlin observer, attributes Putin’s shift towards divine qualities to his desire to remain popular. “He needs to find new points of support to support himself, not just to make more new promises to the country, but also to convince himself,” she stated. Putin’s ability to turn obscure ideas into popular opinions, similar to US President Donald Trump, may attract a following, but it is clear that this is just the behavior of an old man trying to grasp onto power.

The Russian regime is transforming to accept a larger and more critical role for Orthodoxy, promoting a personality cult around Putin. The more propaganda and the church promote his divine qualities, the more he believes he possesses them, so he must have told himself, “Even Jesus Christ didn’t leave a signature, but I will.” The Russian president’s no-nonsense approach and increasing reliance on Orthodox Christianity have led many to believe that he is cultivating a personality cult, with his initials engraved on the chain of crosses worn by soldiers being a telling sign of this new development.

FAQ:

Q: What is the significance of Putin’s initials on the soldier’s cross?
A: It is a telling sign of a new development, indicating that Putin is cultivating a personality cult.

Q: What is the role of the Russian Orthodox Church in promoting Putin’s divine qualities?
A: The Russian Orthodox Church has played a significant role in promoting Putin’s divine qualities, and priests and bureaucrats have devised new initiatives to strengthen their connection to the Church.

Q: What is the context of Putin’s public persona transformation?
A: The Russian nationalists and ideologues have been promoting a personality cult around Putin for years, and Putin has sought to distance himself from this notion of a personality cult in the past.

Conclusion:

Vladimir Putin’s rise to royalty is a testament to the power of propaganda and the ability of leaders to shape public opinion. The Russian president’s desire for power and divinity has led to a personality cult, with his initials engraved on the chain of crosses worn by soldiers being a telling sign of this development. As Bushkina noted, “It’s clear that this is just the stupid behavior of an old man trying to grasp onto power.” It remains to be seen whether Putin’s newfound persona will be met with widespread support or ridicule.