CWN - During a visit to China, Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow has been urging government officials to approve the Russian Orthodox Church as a “recognized religion.”
The Beijing government currently recognizes Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, and Catholic and Protestant churches. However the government does not recognize Orthodox Christianity, and insists that Catholic and Protestant churches must be subject to state control.
AsiaNews analyst Nina Achmatova observes that the Russian Patriarch is asking for recognition from the very government officials who have oppressed believers. In Russia the Orthodox Church has traditionally had a close relationship with the government.
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