SOCIAL POLICY IMPLEMENTATION IN THE KUZBASS METROPOLITANATE OF THE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

Abstract

The article is based on the structural-functional, comparative research methods and critical analysis of sources on the post-Soviet period in the history of the Russian Orthodox Church (hereinafter – ROC), including data reference and information materials, public Internet resources. The author analyzes traditions, continuity and the realization of social policy in the Kuzbass archdiocese at the modern ROC stage. Using the example of Kuzbass archdiocese the author identifies the ROC units responsible for social work, and the main types of social assistance to the church. The conclusion is made that within the period of 1990s-the beginning of XXI century Russian Orthodox Church, with the support of the state, created a major conceptual, legal and organizational base of its social policy, for its implementation involving Orthodox public organizations and associations. Of great importance was the fact that the Church concentrated its efforts on solving social problems, which the state and public organizations could not solve effectively. Therefore, the ROC is hardly criticized for the use of social activities as a mechanism to achieve its main goal – to spread creed. Analysis of the social activities of the Church in the Archdiocese of Kuzbass allowed the author to make a prediction about the promising directions of development of social work in the region.