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Religions/Special Issue: The Sacred Battlefields of the Eastern Europe

The Role of Orthodox Christianity in Geopolitics

Gastherausgeber: Tornike Metreveli, Emil Bjørn Hilton Saggau

Is Orthodox Christianity primarily a tool or resource used by political entities, or does it act as an independent social force with the power to drive political outcomes? How does this religion, as a transnational force, shape global politics? The special issue "Sacred Battlefields: The Role of Orthodox Christianity in Geopolitics" seeks to address these overarching questions by exploring the complex and often understudied role of Orthodox Christianity in shaping geopolitical landscapes, particularly in Eastern and Southern Europe. This issue aims to bring together a diverse range of scholarly perspectives to analyze the ways in which Orthodox Christian traditions, doctrines, and institutions interact with, influence, and are influenced by the dynamics of nationhood, territorial disputes, and political power.

The scope of this special issue extends to various dimensions of the interplay between Orthodox Christianity and geopolitics. It includes, but is not limited to, the study of canonical territorial conflicts, the role of the church in state politics, the influence of religious identity, beliefs, legitimacy, and institutions in shaping social and political landscapes, and the impact of ecclesiastical decisions on international relations. To what extent can these religious elements influence or determine political and social outcomes? How have these dynamics been present historically, and how have they been reinforced or altered?

The issue will address historical contexts as well as contemporary situations, such as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of Orthodoxy in contemporary geopolitical affairs. Contributors are encouraged to approach the topic from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, including theology, sociology, political science, history, and international relations. We welcome empirical studies, theoretical analyses, and methodological contributions including qualitative, quantitative, comparative and case study approaches that shed light on how Orthodox Christianity shapes and is shaped by geopolitical contexts. 

This special issue aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between religion, nationalism, and territoriality, especially in regions where Orthodox Christianity is a dominant religious force. It seeks to provide new insights into how religious beliefs and institutions can become entangled with national and international political agendas, influencing everything from local community dynamics to international diplomatic relations.

Papers:
The Church as Res Publica Res Publica
Cyril Hovorun

Autocephaly Reconsidered: Civil Authorities as Autocephaly-Making Factors
Daniela Kalkandjieva

The Russian Orthodox Church Turns to the Global South: Recalibration of the Geopolitical Culture of the Church
Mikhail Suslov

Outline of a Serbian Orthodox Doctrine of Righteous War
Emil Hilton Saggau

The Religious Component in Contemporary Russian Imperialism
Pål Kolstø and Bojidar Kolov

Alle Papers in Open Access