MOSCOW: Orthodox church chief Patriarch Kirill has appealed for a referendum on God in the constitution as work on the constitutional amendment is progressing at the behest of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He was speaking at the 11th-anniversary celebration of the Patriarchate’s consecration on February 1. This has received strong support in the country.
He said the majority of Russians believe in God, and not just Christians but other religious people, including Islam. Referring to the words “God-preserved homeland” in the Russian National Anthem, the Patriarchs raised the question as to why it was not included in the Constitution. Patriarch Kirill said that people should work together and pray for the highest concept of faith in God which shapes morality, personality, and social and political conviction. Co-chair of the group, which is engaged in drafting proposals for a constitutional amendment that the head of state
Michael Emiliano, the first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on State and Legislation, agreed that the Patriarch’s proposal does not contradict Article 14 of the Constitution regarding the separation of state and church. Sergei Gavrilov, head of the Civil Society Development and Issues of Religious and Public Associations of the State Duma Committee, said that more discussion was needed. It is reported that the majority of Russians, except a few who support atheists, are backing the Patriarch.
