Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) has declared that Russia is the creator, pillar, and defender of the Russian world. The boundaries of the Russian world as a spiritual and cultural-civilizational phenomenon extend far beyond the state borders of both the present Russian Federation and the vast historical territory of Russia.
This conclusion was reached by participants of the assembly titled "The Present and Future of the Russian World," which took place on March 27, 2024, in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow under the leadership of the head of the ROC's World Russian People's Council, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow.
"Alongside representatives of the Russian diaspora scattered around the world, the Russian world encompasses all those for whom Russian tradition, the treasures of Russian civilization, and the rich Russian culture are the highest value and meaning of life," stated the ROC.
According to the ROC, the establishment of the thousand-year-old Russian statehood represents the highest form of political creativity of the Russian nation.
"Therefore, the restoration of unity among the Russian people, as well as their spiritual and vital potential, are the key conditions for the survival and successful development of Russia and the Russian world in the 21st century," decided the Russians.
The ROC also definitively determined the identity of the Russian people and whom they include.
"Russia should return to the existing doctrine of the triunity of the Russian people, according to which the Russian people consist of Great Russians, Little Russians, and Belarusians, who are branches (sub-ethnic groups) of one people, and the term 'Russian' encompasses all Eastern Slavs — the descendants of historical Rus. In addition to recognition and development in domestic science, the doctrine of triunity should receive legislative consolidation, becoming an integral part of the Russian legal system. Triunity should be included in the list of Russian spiritual-moral values and receive appropriate legal protection."