Author ORCID Identifier
ORCID: 0000-0001-6077-3433
Abstract
This article examines the role of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan (OCK), a constituent part of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), within the framework of religious soft power. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the relationship between the ROC, Russian foreign policy, and transnational religious influence has attracted increased scholarly attention. Drawing on the concept of soft power and constructivist approaches, the study combines qualitative field research with media content analysis. The empirical material includes twenty semi-structured interviews conducted with Orthodox clergy and active parishioners across Kazakhstan, as well as an examination of the case of former priest Yakov Vorontsov. The findings demonstrate that while the OCK maintains close canonical ties with the Moscow Patriarchate and possesses an extensive institutional infrastructure, local religious communities often prioritize pastoral and social activities over geopolitical agendas. The article argues that Orthodox soft power in Kazakhstan is neither uniform nor uncontested but is shaped by local contexts, institutional dynamics, and broader geopolitical developments.
Recommended Citation
Ukenov, Ali
(2026)
"Religion and International Relations: The Concept of Soft Power and Orthodoxy in Kazakhstan,"
Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe: Vol. 46
:
Iss.
9
, Article 13.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55221/2693-2229.2864
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/ree/vol46/iss9/13