Orthodoxy and Geopolitics in Eastern Europe (with Prof. Adrian Papahagi)

Giselle, Iulia, and Dalibor are joined by Dr. Adrian Papahagi, a professor at Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj in Romania. Given the Orthodox faith's relevance in Eastern European culture, Dr. Papahagi joins the podcast to illuminate how regional Orthodox churches and clergy across Eastern Europe, especially in Romania, have been processing and reacting to Russia's war in Ukraine. He shares how the Romanian Orthodox Church has clearly, unanimously rebuked Russia's aggression in Ukraine, although some thinner strains of more "conservative" orthodox may embrace Vladimir Putin's self-declaration as a defender of Christianity and traditional values. However, he notes that the Russian Orthodox Church is not in communion with other orthodox churches and has lost all credibility given its political association with the Kremlin. All additionally discuss Romanian historical memory of Russia and Ukraine, if there is a chance for a populist rise in Romania, and the role of Western European countries in Eastern Europe.