Website of the President of Russia: Commissions and Councils

Greetings on the 30th anniversary of the Presidential Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations

2025-04-24T18:21:57+04:00

Vladimir Putin congratulated members of the Presidential Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations on its 30th anniversary.

The message reads, in part:

“All these years, the Council has been a respected platform for fruitful and constructive dialogue between the state, society and religious organisations on a broad range of key national and international issues. It is making a major contribution to the implementation of significant initiatives aimed at maintaining peace and civic accord in our country, preserving our rich historical heritage and enduring spiritual, moral and family values, educating our young people and strengthening mutual understanding between representatives of different nationalities, religions and cultures. Last but not least, our spiritual leaders have a great role to play in protecting the rights and freedoms of believers and in promoting cooperation with our foreign friends and partners.

We are grateful to you for your responsible patriotic stance and for your creative and selfless work for the benefit of our Fatherland and our people.”

Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations meeting

2023-03-21T22:58:39+04:00

Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino chaired a regular meeting of the Presidential Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations.

Taking part in the meeting were heads of religious organisations and representatives of federal authorities and the expert community.

Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov, Minister of Education Sergei Kravtsov and member of the Council and Chairman of the Educational Committee of the Russian Orthodox Church Archpriest Maxim Kozlov reported on the development of theological, religious, spiritual and moral education in the country.

The meeting participants spoke highly of the work of federal executive authorities in implementing programmes to develop theological, spiritual and moral education.

They also noted the efforts of Russian religious organisations in the field of religious education and considered their participation in humanitarian projects in the Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, as well as in implementing social, cultural and humanitarian initiatives of the Russian Federation in foreign countries.

Meeting of Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations

2022-11-02T12:27:18+04:00

Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino chaired a regular meeting of the Presidential Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations.

Heads of religious organisations, representatives of federal authorities and the expert community took part in the Council’s work.

A report on the activities of Russia’s religious organisations during the special military operation of the Russian Federation’s Armed Forces in Ukraine was delivered by Council member and Chairman of the Synodal Department for the Church's Relations with Society and Mass Media of the Moscow Patriarchate Vladimir Legoida.

The meeting participants praised the efforts of the Council’s religious organisations to implement social and charity projects during the special military operation. Religious organisations have collected over 4,484 tonnes of humanitarian aid and delivered it to the Lugansk and Donetsk people’s republics, the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions. In all, they have provided support for over 614,000 people, providing those in need with hot meals and medical treatment on a continuous basis. Water filtration systems and electric power generators have been purchased and delivered to these territories, and water wells have been drilled there. Solid-fuel and gas boilers and heaters, petrol generators and gas convectors have been installed. Some other projects aiming to resume peaceful life in the new regions of the Russian Federation have also been implemented.

Council members also noted the importance of restoring the religious infrastructure in the Lugansk and Donetsk people’s republics, the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions.

In conclusion, the participants reviewed issues of streamlining legislation and law enforcement practice as regards freedom of conscience and religious associations.

Meeting of the Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations

2021-01-22T14:24:47+04:00

Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino chaired a regular meeting of the Presidential Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations.

The meeting was attended by religious leaders, experts, representatives of federal authorities and NGOs.

Council member and chairman of the Synodal Department for Church’s Relations with Society and Mass Media of the Moscow Patriarchate Vladimir Legoida delivered a report on the community service provided by religious organisations during difficult and emergency situations. Participants in the meeting praised cooperation between the state and religious organisations in the implementation of social and charity projects amid the pandemic. Council members also noted the importance of vaccination against the novel coronavirus.

Participants in the meeting also discussed the issue of working with believers in the Russian Armed Forces. A relevant report was delivered by First Deputy Head of the Main Military-Political Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces Alexei Tsygankov.

At the proposal of Council members, it was decided to establish a Council commission for the development of theological, religious, spiritual and ethical education.

Anton Vaino chaired meeting of Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations

2019-10-08T11:44:15+04:00

Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino chaired a regular meeting of the Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations.

The meeting was attended by religious leaders, experts and representatives of federal executive government bodies and NGOs.

The participants discussed the council’s international activities. Reports were made by chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk and Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko.

The participants highly assessed the activities of the council’s working group on the relief to Syria: a school was opened in Damascus on September 23, 2019. It was restored using funds raised by Russian believers.

The discussion also covered cooperation of religious organisations with the Foreign Ministry on protecting traditional moral and spiritual values, the rights of believers in the Middle East, Ukraine and other parts of the world, and holding large international interfaith forums under the aegis of the council.

The participants also followed up on the implementation of the tasks adopted at the council’s previous meeting.

Meeting of the Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations

2018-09-28T11:48:49+04:00

Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino chaired a meeting of the Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations. The main topic of discussion was the participation of religious organisations in work with youth.

Vladimir Legoida, chairman of the Russian Orthodox Church Synod's department for church relations with society, generalised the experience of Russian religious associations in various areas of work with youth.

Head of Rosmolodezh (Federal Agency for Youth Affairs) Alexander Bugayev described specific forms of cooperation between religious figures and the state in implementing the youth policy.

The discussion was attended by members of the council representing Russia’s different religious organisations.

Following the discussion, the participants adopted recommendations for government agencies on information support for youth policy activities and streamlining joint efforts in conducting preventive work with young people who found themselves in a socially dangerous position.

The participants came out in support of specific projects on the spiritual and moral upbringing of young people, fostering the Russian identity among students and the development of national sports.

The council members listened to a report by Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations, on the development of theological education and science in Russia and the rendering of humanitarian aid to the population of Syria.

In accordance with the council’s recommendations, the Ministry of Education and Science decided to include theology in the list of scientific professions; the first theses on theology were defended.

Over 40 tonnes of humanitarian aid bought by Russia’s religious organisations were delivered to Syria in 2017. In February 2018, a delegation of the council visited Syria and Lebanon.

A campaign unprecedented in the scale of one-time aid – 77 tonnes – was organised and conducted jointly with the leaders of Christian and Muslim communities of Syria and Lebanon.

The council endorsed the project on providing aid to the population of Syria and decided to continue this work.

Meeting of the Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations

2017-03-31T18:15:05+04:00

Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Anton Vaino chaired a regular meeting of the Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations.

Representatives of religious organisations, federal agencies, experts and academics discussed the development of religious organisations’ social and charity projects.

In their remarks, meeting participants noted that the values of serving our neighbours and solidarity united the adepts of all traditional religions. According to sociological data, an overwhelming majority of Russian citizens have a positive opinion of religious organisations’ contribution to resolving social issues.

Representatives of all religious communities help orphans and children from problem families, senior citizens and people with disabilities. They care for the ill, support families with many children, are actively involved in spiritual, moral and patriotic education for children and young people, conduct important work to help recovering drug addicts and alcoholics, work with prison inmates, help former prisoners to return to normal life and also assist in the adaptation and integration of migrants.

It was noted that the state was creating the required legislative framework, providing organisational and financial support for social, cultural and charity programmes of the Russian Orthodox Church and other religious denominations.

After the meeting, its participants drafted recommendations to strengthen the role of Russia’s traditional religious organisations in implementing beneficial social projects in various areas.

They also supported the initiative of Russian religious leaders to provide humanitarian relief aid to the people of Syria.

Meeting of the Council for Cooperation with Religious Organisations

2016-05-12T21:08:08+04:00

Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Ivanov chaired a meeting of the Council for Cooperation with Religious Organisations.

Representatives of religious organisations, federal government bodies, scholars and experts discussed issues concerning Russia’s role in protecting the rights of religious believers in today’s world.

In his remarks at the meeting, Mr Ivanov said that there is a crisis today in guaranteeing religious freedoms in military conflict zones and in areas controlled by terrorist groups in the Middle East and North Africa, where Christians and members of other religious groups, including followers of moderate Islam, have had their rights violated. Mr Ivanov also noted the rise in religious xenophobia in a number of Western countries and said that the worrying trends we see today in the world call for an adequate and immediate response.

The meeting’s participants expressed their concern at the situation in Ukraine, where active discussion is underway on legislative initiatives to limit the activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under the Moscow Patriarchate. At the same time, seizures of this church’s houses of worship continue, accompanied by acts of aggression against clergy and parishioners.

The meeting’s participants highlighted Russia’s unique experience of peaceful coexistence and mutually respectful dialogue between diverse ethnic groups and religions, and said this experience could serve as an example for the entire international community.

The Council members also expressed their support for the joint declaration of Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia and Pope Francis following their meeting in Cuba. This declaration calls for a restoration of peace, and efforts to save religious believers in military conflict zones and protect the religious foundations of civilisation.

Meeting of the Council for Cooperation with Religious Organisations

2015-10-09T18:00:53+04:00

Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Ivanov held a meeting of the Council for Cooperation with Religious Organisations. Representatives of religious organisations, federal government bodies, and the academic and expert communities took part in the meeting.

Mr Ivanov thanked Russia’s spiritual leaders for their unconditional support for Russia’s action against international terrorists in Syria and said that true servants of religious faith can do much today to help prevent provocation of ethnic and religious conflicts.

The meeting’s participants discussed current issues related to efforts to improve cooperation between the state authorities and clergy on harmonising interfaith and interethnic relations.

The speakers noted the great importance of this work given that Russia is a country of many religions, and proposed concrete steps to carry out the 2016–2018 implementation plan for Russia’s Ethnic Policy Strategy.

The meeting also analysed the activities of working groups the regional authorities have set up on harmonising interethnic relations and assessed the participation of religious organisations’ representatives in these groups.

Finally, the meeting discussed proposals drafted by the Council’s commissions for improving legislation and application of laws and developing international cooperation.

Meeting of the Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations

2015-03-20T17:59:08+04:00

Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Ivanov chaired a meeting of the Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations.

The meeting addressed issues pertaining to protecting the lives and rights of believers in military conflict zones. Mr Ivanov noted that complex processes in the Middle East and North Africa have led to the destruction of the ethnic and religious balance and a significant increase in religious extremism. According to the Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office, this resulted from short-sighted policies by several western nations. Religious minorities in the East have found themselves very vulnerable, hundreds of temples have been destroyed and hundreds of thousands of people have left their homes. People remaining in the regions controlled by radicals live under constant fear of being killed.

Mr Ivanov also noted that the unlawful regime change that occurred in February 2014 in Ukraine led to a serious outbreak in radicalism, massive violations of the law, religious intolerance and violence against believers. Over 60 attacks on temples and priests of the Russian Orthodox Church occurred with full connivance from the authorities, Mr Ivanov stressed.

The Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office also emphasised that such a situation in the Middle East and Ukraine would have been impossible if social and political problems had been resolved by way of dialogue and without external interference from the very beginning.

The meeting also addressed Russian religious organisations’ plans to participate in preparing and holding celebrations of the 70^th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945. Mr Ivanov noted the importance of religious organisations’ input into this historical Victory. Traditional religions did this setting aside all historical grievances and injustices they had suffered and put the national interests ahead of their own, Mr Ivanov stated. Today, the traditional religions play an important role in preserving the historic memory and helping instil patriotic values in young people.

In addition, the meeting participants discussed the results of the Council for Interethnic Relations Presidium meeting, held in Yaroslavl in October with participation by members of the Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations, which addressed the development of Russian identity.

Expanded meeting of the Council for Interethnic Relations presidium

2015-03-20T17:59:12+04:00

An expanded meeting of the Council for Interethnic Relations presidium was chaired by Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Magomedsalam Magomedov.

Participants in the meeting included members of the Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations, Governor of Yaroslavl Region Sergei Yastrebov, experts and community activists.

The meeting’s key topics were the development strategy for Russian identity and its regional aspect, as well as “the Russian question.”

In his speech, Mr Magomedov noted, in particular, that “The main goal of the State Ethnic Policy Strategy of the Russian Federation through 2025, approved by the President in December 2012, is strengthening the nationwide civic consciousness and spiritual community of the multi-ethnic people of the Russian Federation, the Russian nation. Issues of Russian people’s wellbeing, the state of the Russian language and Russian culture are key to the modern state ethnic policy.”

Proposals were presented during the plenary session, which were developed within the framework of three thematic sessions on issues of strengthening Russian identity, historical and cultural heritage as a factor in regional development, and traditional values as a spiritual foundation for Russian identity.

Coordinated decisions were made concerning all items on the agenda.

In addition, participants in the meeting learned about how the state ethnic policy was implemented in Yaroslavl Region.

Meeting of the Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations

2015-03-20T18:00:29+04:00

Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Ivanov held a meeting of the Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations.

The meeting examined the role religious organisations play in preserving the spiritual and cultural identities of Russia’s peoples and their contribution to implementing state policy for migrants’ adaptation.

Religious organisations in Russia play an active part today in various civil society institutions and are partners for the authorities in tackling important social and other tasks. Mr Ivanov noted that this dialogue and partnership are especially needed today when the entire world faces serious risks and problems such as rising interethnic intolerance, erosion and devaluation of traditional values, and a retreat of clear moral and ethical references.

Mr Ivanov said in his remarks that Russia’s spiritual leaders have always been consistent in supporting a united country and society that bring together people of different ethnic groups and faiths. Russia’s religious organisations have made a big contribution to promoting Russian culture and traditional moral values both at home and abroad. They have considerable influence, including influence among fellow faithful in the migrant communities in Russia. This could help the authorities be more efficient in their efforts to help migrants adapt to Russia’s cultural, values, language and legal space.

The meeting participants noted that this sort of work is already underway. In particular, the Federal Migration Service’s regional offices have signed 129 agreements on integration cooperation with religious organisations: 80 with Orthodox organisations, 42 with Muslim organisations, 3 with Buddhist organisations, 2 with Jewish organisations, and 2 with Armenian Apostolic Church organisations. Religious organisations have also opened 37 classes for migrants, 31 organised by the Russian Orthodox Church, and 6 by Muslim spiritual organisations.

The meeting approved a number of concrete decisions on facilitating religious organisations’ efforts to preserve the spiritual and cultural identities of Russia’s peoples and help migrants to adapt to life in Russia.

Meeting of Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations

2015-03-20T18:00:46+04:00

Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Ivanov chaired a meeting of the Presidential Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations. Developing the interfaith dialogue in Russia was the main subject of discussion.

Mr Ivanov noted in his opening remarks that Russia developed right from the outset as a country in which different ethnic groups and religions lived together. Now, as the modern world faces new global challenges, and destructive forces are using religion as a means for carrying out their own political objectives, including extremist goals, partnership and cooperation between Russia’s traditional religions are especially important.

A great deal therefore depends on religious leaders taking an active and, most importantly, consolidated position, and on the traditional religions’ ability to work together to preserve Russia’s sovereignty and unity and defend in common the values that most Russian citizens share.

The meeting’s participants adopted a number of specific recommendations to the Government and the federal and regional executive authorities on organising a support structure for promoting interfaith dialogue in Russia and the CIS countries.

The meeting also examined opportunities and work areas for Russian-Chinese cooperation on religious matters. Cooperation between the two countries in this area received a boost with the visit by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia to China earlier this year. The council’s recommendations on cooperation with China on religious affairs will be passed on to the Chinese authorities.

Taking part in the council’s meeting were representatives of the main Russian religious organisations and the federal authorities, as well as scholars and experts.

Meeting of Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations

2015-03-20T18:01:02+04:00

Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Ivanov chaired a meeting of the Presidential Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations.

Opening the meeting, Sergei Ivanov noted that last year society confronted a number of inflammatory crimes against people’s religious sentiments: vandalism of places of worship, terrorist attacks and attempts to scare clergy members. Mr Ivanov stressed that in this regard, it is imperative to make measured decisions reflecting the interests of the majority, it is important to clearly draw a division line between freedom of speech and the right to self-expression, which are without a doubt essential values, and blatant violent extremism and profiteering off religious sentiments.

The decision taken at the end of the meeting emphasises the urgency of amending legislation aimed at toughening penalty for insulting believers’ religious sentiments, defiling objects of religious reverence, sites of religious worship and ceremonies.

Participants of the meeting also acknowledged the importance of engaging in preventive work and efforts to expose these types of crimes, as well as broadening the practice of developing informational and resource materials describing the specifics of Russia’s major confessions, their religious practices and moral and ethical values.

It is imperative to continue working to fulfil the President’s instructions on implementing the institution of army and navy chaplains in the Armed Forces, and complete the recruitment of personnel to work with religious service members.

In addition, the Council approved the activities of the working group on developing Russian-Chinese relations in the religious domain and maintaining contacts between the Council and the State Department of China on Religions.

Meeting participants included representatives of religious associations, federal state bodies, experts and scholars.

Meeting of Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations

2015-03-20T18:01:19+04:00

Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Ivanov chaired a meeting of the Presidential Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations.

Representatives from the Russian Federation’s religious associations, federal state bodies, leading experts and scientists participated in the Council meeting.

The Council meeting addressed issues of cooperation of the state and religious organisations in the areas of education and science, as well as within the Federal Penitentiary Service system in working with prisoners, particularly with the aim of assuring the prisoners’ rights of conscience and faith.

The meeting also dealt with the operation of the Presidential Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations’ Commission on Harmonising Interethnic and Interfaith Relations.

Meeting of the Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations

2015-03-20T18:01:56+04:00

Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Naryshkin chaired a meeting of the Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations.

At the meeting, the establishment of the Council Commission for Harmonisation of Interethnic and Interfaith Relations was announced. The commission includes representatives of various faiths.

The meeting discussed measures to strengthen interreligious and interethnic harmony in society and progress in implementing Presidential instructions to test an integrated course Fundamentals of Religious Cultures and Secular Ethics for general education secondary schools.

Following the meeting, the Council adopted a statement which says that the harmonisation of interethnic relations is a key to the nation’s prosperity, and it can be achieved by educating people on minority cultures through schools, the media and cultural events. Particular attention should be paid to teaching spiritual and civic values to the younger generation. Council members believe that religious leaders’ active involvement with the media can be factor of social stability.