THE SPECIFICS OF ATHONITE PERCEPTIONS OF THE RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN WAR AND THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract

B a c k g r o u n d . This article explores the peculiarities of Athonite monks' perception of two global crises – the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian-Ukrainian war – through a comparative religious-studies lens. Mount Athos, though geographically isolated, has responded vividly to external shocks that touch upon spiritual integrity. The research highlights how the pandemic was primarily interpreted in mystical and eschatological terms, whereas the war triggered visible polarization within the Athonite community, reflecting broader ecclesial and geopolitical fractures in the Orthodox world. The study sheds light on the theological, moral, and canonical dimensions of Athonite responses, emphasizing their role as a spiritual barometer amid global uncertainty.

M e t h o d s . The authors employ a comparative, interdisciplinary methodology grounded in theology, religious studies, and political sociology. The empirical basis includes public statements of Athonite elders, digital media outputs, and doctrinal commentaries. Scholarly works on religious responses to crises provide the analytical foundation. This method allows the authors to trace the dual vector of Athonite consciousness – tradition-rooted detachment and increasing involvement in transnational Orthodox conflicts.

R e s u l t s . Findings show that the pandemic was largely viewed as divine chastisement and a call to repentance, with strong resistance to changes in Eucharistic practice or state health protocols. In contrast, the war in Ukraine exposed deep divisions among monasteries, with some aligning with Russian narratives and others expressing solidarity with the Ukrainian people. This divergence correlates with geopolitical dependencies and varying loyalties to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Russian Orthodox Church. The study demonstrates that Mount Athos, traditionally regarded as neutral and apolitical, is undergoing a transformation that mirrors broader ecclesial-political tensions.

C o n c l u s i o n s . The research concludes that Athonite responses to COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine reflect a tension between eschatological worldview and pastoral responsibility, between mystical detachment and geopolitical entanglement. While the Holy Mountain retains spiritual authority, its internal polarization questions its unifying role in contemporary Orthodoxy. The study contributes to understanding the dynamic interrelation between monasticism, global crises, and the evolving religious-political landscape.