Christians are called to be citizens of Heaven, not patriots of this world.

 The Essence of Patriotism

 

Patriotism is the obliviation of the meaning of the Babylonian curse. After all, the division into languages is a curse, a consequence of sin. Yet patriotism cultivates this division into languages.

Thus, patriotism is a pagan worldview.

Moreover, patriotism is obliviating the fact that the Babylonian curse has already been overcome on the Day of Pentecost. "When He came down and confused the tongues, the Most High divided the nations; but when He distributed the fiery tongues, He called all to unity..." (Kontakion of Pentecost).

Cult

Cultivated by the nation

Patriotism is cultivated, first of all, by the nation (language). Here, the instinctive sense of national self-preservation plays a role, and accordingly, an instinctive distinction of “one’s own,” parochialism. And pride.

The extreme, radical manifestation of patriotism concerning the nation is nationalism, which is paganism, as is evident even from the Slavic etymology of the word “nation” – “language.”

Cultivated by the state

Secondly, by the state. When the authorities, instead of fully subjecting the interests of the nation and the state to the will of God, are guided by the instinct of self-preservation of the existing order, the existing regime. And by pride. They are not content with what is “Caesar’s” (i.e., the external) and the purely practical reverence for the existing authority and the observance of state laws (which follows from Scripture, according to the commandment “honor the king” [1 Pet. 2:17]), but they lay claim to the human heart, demanding service to themselves.

For this purpose, the ideology of patriotism is instilled and cultivated in the consciousness of the people. That is, in fact, the cult of the “motherland,” the cult of the “fatherland.”

After all, it is clear that a Christian will approach everything critically, evaluating from a heavenly perspective the moral permissibility of participating in this or that war or state program. And this evaluation will by no means always coincide with the earthly interests of the state. But patriotism, being an entirely earthly, carnal, instinctive ideology, conveniently aligns with the earthly interests of the nation and the state, literally coinciding with them. This is why authorities seek to cultivate not Christians, but patriots; not citizens of Heaven, but citizens of the earth. For it is precisely the citizens of the earth who are easy to govern. And this is a monstrous substitution.

And they seek to use Christianity only insofar as it can provide an ideological basis for patriotism, thus creating a grotesque hybrid called "Christian patriotism." This is nothing other than a dilution of Christianity, an attempt to mix it with the human and the earthly. Or rather, an effort to smuggle an earthly, carnal, instinctive ideology—one that aligns with the earthly interests of the state—into the minds and hearts of people under the guise of Christianity, wrapped in a Christian covering.

And this is an abuse by the state, an overstepping of the authority given to it by God. The state has no God-given right to its own ideology. Christians should neither share nor respect the ideology of the state, but only pay taxes ("what is Caesar’s"), respect authority, and obey the laws (according to the commandment "honor the king" [1 Pet. 2:17]). That is, to render only what is external and practical—nothing more. Without the participation of the heart, without any ideology distinct from the Word of God.

Thus, the ideology of patriotism is nothing other than a religion, a kind of state cult—that is, plain and vile paganism.

This is a repetition of the sin of building the Tower of Babel.

The citizens of the earth want to enslave the citizens of Heaven, seeking to make them build the earthly city together with them. But Christians must be citizens of Heaven (ouranopolitai), directing all their efforts toward striving for the Heavenly City, rather than devoting their strength and aspirations to securing earthly comfort for those who seek to settle on the earth.

If the state needs Christianity for its proper functioning, this does not mean that the Church needs patriotism or any state ideologies. Just as an organism does not need its parasites. Here, the interest is entirely one-sided.

For the Church, pure Christianity, the Gospel, is sufficient. No other, additional ideologies are acceptable.

Paganism

People themselves created the ideology of patriotism and elevated it to the status of a religion. The concepts of "motherland," "fatherland," "land," "Russia," and "Rus'" have become idols for patriots.

The confirmation of this is the sacralization of these concepts by patriots, attributing ideological value to them.

For example, on what basis do patriots call their earthly homeland "mother," artificially placing it under the protection of the Fifth Commandment? The Word of God gives no grounds for this.

Mother is a specific person. But "homeland" is an abstract, indefinite, and multifaceted concept. Comparing "homeland" to a mother is incorrect and unfounded.

My earthly mother is not "land," not a "country," not "Russia." She is a completely specific woman whom I love, honor, and remember the Fifth Commandment.

Why should I consider or call the land, or the country, or Russia my "mother"?! This is an ideological fantasy.

Moreover, this is crude paganism, idolatry. Because the concept of "Mother Earth" (or "Earth Mother") is a cult of the earth, characteristic of many pagan religions.

Considering concepts such as "homeland," "fatherland," "land," "Russia," etc., as "sacred" is also crude paganism. A sacred object is something set apart from the world and partaking in the holiness of God. These concepts, however, are purely earthly.

There is no basis for considering them "sacred." Because the sacred is that which is dedicated to God and, accordingly, can no longer be used for earthly purposes or directed toward earthly goals. Which cannot be said about these concepts.

By the way, it is not fitting for Christians to write the words "homeland" and "fatherland" with a capital letter (unless referring to Paradise and the Kingdom of Heaven). These are common nouns. It contradicts the rules of the Russian language. And since this is not dictated by an orthographic motive, the reason for capitalizing these words is therefore ideological.

To ascribe any ideological meaning to the concepts of "fatherland" or "homeland" is paganism, idolatry.

The human heart is too precious to be bound to earthly concepts and ideologies. It rightfully belongs only to the Creator.

Therefore, patriotism is an ideology unworthy of a Christian. It is a pagan ideology, incompatible with Christianity.

A consistent patriot is a pagan. Because the most "Russian," the most "national" thing is paganism. This is evident even from the Slavic etymology of the word "people" or "nation"—"language."

The logical conclusion of patriotism and its essence is concrete, classical paganism.

By the way, the expression "on the altar of the fatherland" (in reference, for example, to soldiers killed in war) is nothing other than outright paganism and idolatry. Christians once destroyed the Altar of the Fatherland in Rome.

Incidentally, [Russian] patriots even have their own idol, the "Motherland" statue on Mamayev Kurgan.

Corrupt Practice

That patriotism leads to paganism and idolatry is evident even in the modern corrupt practice of "laying wreaths" at monuments and soldiers' graves, which is nothing other than offerings to the dead, a cult of the dead, and prayers before monuments that bear inherently foreign, anti-Christian, and pagan symbolism (for example, the five-pointed star) and before the symbol of the "eternal flame."

It is clear that a Christian should not fear pagan signs and symbols or assign them any significance. However, in this case, it is worth recalling the analogy with food sacrificed to idols, according to the teaching of the Apostle Paul. Pagan signs and symbols in themselves are nothing. A Christian, in private, may ignore them. However, in this case, there is a deliberate standing before monuments in which these symbols hold central significance, in the sight of the people, including those for whom these symbols are meaningful and those who know that this symbolism is anti-Christian and pagan. That is, it is an open cause of scandal and an occasion for reproach against the Church. It is analogous to a Christian eating food sacrificed to idols in the presence of a pagan who knows that the Christian is aware of it—which the Apostle Paul forbade (1 Cor. 10:25-29).

As for the laying of wreaths, it is obvious that this is not merely the decoration of graves. This act is irrational, possessing a ceremonial character. That is, it does not have a practical but an ideological motive. In other words, it is a religious, sacred act—a form of service. But not to God. It takes place outside the context of the Church and has no foundation in the Tradition of the Church. Thus, it is evident that in this case, a religious act is being performed outside the Church and service is being rendered not to God. Therefore, it is clear that this is a violation of the Commandment to serve only God (Ex. 20:2-5; Deut. 6:13).

And the question arises: to whom are these wreaths being offered? Obviously, not to God, since offerings to God are made within the context of the Church. This offering of wreaths, which has a sacred character, is directed toward the deceased. This is precisely the meaning of this practice. That is, it is an obvious and blatant offering to the dead, a cult of the dead. This is a classic pagan (folk) practice, deeply rooted in the consciousness of the Russian people as well. Yet, a sacrifice to the dead is an abomination before God (Deut. 26:14).

In fact, this is complicity in a pagan (folk) cult, which is recognized by the state at an official level, that is, in the state cult. This is classical idolatry.

The Church must not, and has no right before its Bridegroom, Christ, to follow the lead of state and folk ideologies and cults.

It is closer to the truth to acknowledge the mistakes of the past than to continue a corrupt practice out of inertia. Christians honor the departed with prayer and offerings to God for them, not to them.

The practical uselessness of patriotism

Patriots, in fact, have no reason to accuse the uranopolitans.

Is it really about not defending one’s neighbors, women, children, the elderly, and Christian holy sites?

Or do patriots believe that only patriotism is capable of motivating a person to self-sacrifice and the defense of their neighbors? We, however, believe that love is preeminently capable of this. The Gospel holds the same view, where the commandment of self-sacrifice is directly linked to the commandment of love: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13) (and not a word about patriotism).

Love for a specific person, without attachment to nationality, culture, or anything else, is entirely sufficient, according to Christ’s Commandment, to give one’s life for him, to protect him from invaders. To care not for the well-being of society as a whole, but for the concrete individuals who make up that society.

Therefore, patriots are mistaken when they claim that "only thanks to patriotism do Orthodox nations still exist." When a person's family, friends, and loved ones are in danger, it is precisely love for them (and, of course, zeal for the faith and holy sites) that moves him to take up arms against invaders. He does not need patriotism for this.

If a person is a Christian, then simply by virtue of being a Christian, he will go to defend his neighbors—women, children, the elderly, and holy sites—from invaders, that is, the people inhabiting the country. This is entirely independent of any patriotism as an ideology. For him to fulfill his duty of defending his neighbors in a defensive war, he does not need to consider or call himself a patriot. It is enough to be a Christian. Without any additional ideologies. A Christian simply does not need the crutch called "patriotism," neither as an ideology nor as a designation. Christianity alone is sufficient. Christ’s Commandment of love is sufficient.

Likewise, concern for the well-being of the people inhabiting a country can arise not only from the ideology of patriotism but simply from a Christian attitude toward specific individuals living in the country, without any additional ideology. Moreover, it must arise from love and care for the sake of Christ’s Commandment, not from the ideology of patriotism.

Thus, in practice, when it comes to defending one’s family and neighbors, as well as caring for the people inhabiting the country, uranopolitism is in no way inferior to patriotism.

So, patriots have no reason to reproach uranopolitans.

Thus, the reason for the opposition of patriots to uranopolitism is not practical but rather the ideological rejection of patriotism by uranopolitans—their refusal to adopt an additional ideology alongside Christianity.

The Ideological Uselessness of Patriotism

Thus, patriotism is a pagan ideology, foreign to and incompatible with Christianity.

The attempt to introduce "Christian patriotism" is a dilution of Christianity (2 Cor. 2:17). Priest Daniil Sysoev called such a policy "Christianity and...". In the words of C.S. Lewis: "As soon as 'Christianity and' arises, Christianity dies."

This is where the falling away from Christianity begins—when Christianity is adapted for the earth, for something earthly.

Is Christianity alone really not enough for us to fulfill everything required of us before God?!

After all, this can be understood from the simplest logic:

If patriotism contains something commanded by God, then it is already contained within Christianity itself, and patriotism is not needed to fulfill it. But if patriotism contains something that God has not commanded, then it is neither necessary to fulfill nor needed at all.

A Christian simply does not need the crutch called "patriotism," neither as an ideology nor as a designation. Is the name "Christian" not enough for us? Or is Christianity somehow lacking, that it needs to be supplemented with something else?

If patriotism is identical to Christianity, then why is it needed under a separate name? And if it is not identical, then it is all the more unsuitable for a Christian. In any case, it is evident that it is not identical.

We must carry forth the pure Word of God, without any admixture of other ideologies. As the Apostle says: "For we are not as many, which corrupt (literally from Greek: do not peddle, do not dilute with water) the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ" (2 Cor. 2:17).

The only "ideology" the Church needs is the Gospel, which a wise and God-fearing person would not dare to supplement with their own ideologies. As it is written: "Add thou not unto His words, lest He reprove thee, and thou be found a liar" (Prov. 30:6).

The very existence of Christianity in the world excludes the permissibility of any other ideologies besides Christianity itself.

Uranopolitism

An Orthodox Christian must be a Uranopolitan (i.e., a citizen of Heaven).

"Uranopolitism" (a term introduced by Fr. Daniil Sysoev) means heavenly citizenship.

"Uranopolitism – (from Greek Uranos – heaven, polis – city) is the doctrine asserting the primacy of Divine laws over earthly ones, the primacy of love for the Heavenly Father and His Heavenly Kingdom over all natural and sinful inclinations of man. Uranopolitism affirms that the primary kinship is not by blood or country of origin, but kinship in Christ. Uranopolitism asserts that Christians do not have eternal citizenship here but seek the future Kingdom of God, and therefore, they cannot give their hearts to anything on Earth. Uranopolitism declares that in the mortal world, Christians are sojourners and strangers, and their homeland is in heaven." (Fr. Daniil Sysoev)

"The heavenly city is mentioned repeatedly in Scripture (Rev. 21–22; Heb. 11:10–16; 12:22; 13:14), and therefore the expression 'Uranopolitism' or 'heavenly citizenship' is simply biblical." (Fr. Daniil Sysoev)

"The word 'Uranopolitan' (ouranopolitis) is found in many of the Holy Fathers; in particular, Saint John Chrysostom uses it five times." (Deacon Georgy Maksimov)

One can perfectly do without this term. It is simply practical when speaking with patriots to designate plain Orthodox Christianity, unburdened by additional ideology.

The emergence of this term is a reaction to the prolonged illness of the Russian Local Church—to cleanse ecclesiastical consciousness from excessive, additional state ideology, which has become so ingrained in people's minds that many believe it to be the norm.

Conclusion

Thus, those who suffer from patriotism require metanoia (Greek), that is, repentance, a change of mind.

For the Lord warned: "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matt. 6:21). And in the Kingdom of Heaven, there will be no earthly homelands.

We must repent of patriotism, condemn and cast it off like chaff, like a scab, like a tick that has long parasitized the body of the Church—so that we may preach pure Christianity, without any additional ideologies.

 

Russian source: "Православие и патриотизм" [Orthodoxy and Patriotism], by Priest Alexei Shlyapin.

Online: https://orthoview.ru/ierej-aleksij-shlyapin-xristianstvo-i-patriotizm/