Patriarch Kirill says one cannot pray for salary

Patriarch Kirill says «one cannot pray» for salary increase in Russia

Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Kirill said that believers in Russia should not turn to God with requests for higher wages or better financial situation.

According to him, «heaven does not respond» to such requests, as prayer should address the spiritual, not material, needs of a person.

Context of the statement

The statement was made against the backdrop of a difficult socio-economic situation in Russia, accompanied by military spending, sanctions pressure and a decline in the level of income of the population.

The question of the role of the church in Russian public life is regularly the subject of debate, in particular through public statements by the clergy on the war, the economy and social policy.

Public reaction

The patriarch's words sparked discussions in the media and social media. Some commentators took the statement as a call to spirituality, while others saw it as a detachment of the church leadership from the everyday problems of citizens.

Experts note that such statements may increase social polarisation in the face of economic difficulties.

Significance for the information space

The public statements of religious leaders in Russia are increasingly overlapping with the political and socio-economic agenda.

Analysts believe that the rhetoric of the clergy can be used to shape public sentiment during a protracted war and internal pressure on the economy.