Russian President Vladimir Putin's nuclear arsenal has been described as "God's grace" by the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, an ex-KGB agent. The remarks came hours before Putin addressed thousands of schoolchildren in Siberia.
Patriarch's Divine Justification
The controversial religious leader claimed that the country's atomic weapons were forged through divine intervention to protect the nation from destruction. His remarks were made during an address to worshippers at the Holy Trinity Saint Seraphim-Diveyevo Monastery in the Nizhny Novgorod region.
Patriarch Kirill claimed that the scientists and engineers who developed the Russian atomic bomb in the nearby closed city of Sarov were operating under "heavenly guidance," enabling the country to remain independent.
Kremlin's Contrasting Spectacle
According to the Moscow Patriarchate, Kirill stated that it was through the labour of these scientists that "the grace and mercy of God appeared over our country," preventing an apocalyptic fate that would have left "neither a country nor a people". The Patriarch has previously claimed that the weapons of mass destruction were created by "God's ineffable providence" – despite the fact Russia has never used them.
The jarring rhetoric surrounding weapons capable of global annihilation preceded an altogether different spectacle orchestrated by the Kremlin, as a smiling Vladimir Putin took to the stage to address children at the Bolshaya Peremena national contest finals in Krasnoyarsk just hours later.
Putin's Address to Youth
Appearing before crowds of cheering youths waving Russian flags, while acting like an over-excited grandpa, he was seemingly unfazed by the apocalyptic grandstanding of his close ally in the Orthodox Church.
During the televised event, Putin shook hands with children and praised the young attendees for their creativity and drive, painting a picture of a "nation moving steadily forward" rather than one locked in a bitter conflict and reliant on nuclear threats.
Addressing the finalists of the youth competition, Putin said: "It is wonderful that your meeting is taking place here, in Krasnoyarsk. I wish to draw your attention to the fact that this is the geographical centre of our vast country.
"Krasnoyarsk is located at the geographical centre of Russia; it is a major industrial, scientific, and educational centre of the Russian Federation. Becoming acquainted with its life, with the city, is both an exciting and enjoyable experience, I hope."
"It is heartening to see young men, teenagers, and kids, each with their own creative gifts, each seeking a path in their life and looking forward with purpose. I would like to note that over the years we have been running the Bolshaya Peremena contest, more than seven million people have taken part – just imagine that."
"I am confident that this will make an additional contribution to your development and afford you the opportunity to observe how our country is progressing, how it is moving forward.
"I am confident that this, too, will help you find your place in the progressive development of our wonderful Motherland. My friends, I wish you every success. And I want to thank you for taking part in this contest. Thank you!"
