At the time of filming, war in Ukraine continues, and for many of us, our heads are spinning as we try to make sense of this violence. While many news reports have seen this as an isolated whim by an unhinged political leader, Fr. John Strickland, Orthodox priest and Russian Historian, urges us to look at the historical background as we try to make sense of this. Specifically, in order to understand the war in Ukraine, we must understand the religious history of Russia and Ukraine.

This video covers a very sensitive topic. As Fr. John and I both stress, this isn't a matter for detached academic speculation. Christians are called to respond with love and pray for peace. As with all current events, conclusive interpretations will likely only be seen after time passes. In the meantime, we do our best to understand what is happening and pray for those affected.

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About Gospel Simplicity:
Gospel Simplicity began as a YouTube channel in a Moody Bible Institute dorm. It was born out of the central conviction that the gospel is really good news, and I wanted to share that with as many people as possible. The channel has grown and changed over time, but that central conviction has never changed. Today, we make content around biblical and theological topics, often interacting with people from across the Christian tradition with the hope of seeking greater unity and introducing people to the beautiful simplicity and transformative power of the gospel, the good news about Jesus.

About the host:
Hey! My name is Austin, and I'm a 23 year old guy who’s passionate about the beautiful simplicity and transformative power of the gospel. I believe that the gospel, the good news about Jesus, is really good news, and I’m out to explore, unpack, and share that good news with as many people as possible. I'm a full blown Bible and Church History nerd that loves getting to dialogue with others about this, learning as much as I can, and then teaching whatever I can. I grew up around Frederick, MD where I eventually ended up working my first job at a church. They made the mistake of letting me try my hand at teaching, and instantly I fell in love. That set me on a path for further education, and I'm currently a student at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL, studying theology. On any given day you can find me with my nose in a book or a guitar in my hands. Want to get to know me more? Follow me and say hi on Instagram at: @austin.suggs

Video Stuff:
Camera: Sony a6300
Lens: Sigma 16mm F1.4 https://amzn.to/2MjssPB
Edited in FCPX

Music:
Bowmans Root - Isaac Joel

00:00 - Introduction
06:21 - Why Religious History Matters for this War
08:01 - Setting up the Conversation
11:47 - The Conversion of Rus
18:21 - Council of Florence
19:35 - Mongol Invasions (13th c.)
20:48 - Muscovite Russia
21:56 - Peter the Great and the Westernization of Russia
26:18 - The Russian Revolution (20th century)
27:04 - The Rise of Nationalism in Ukraine
31:22 - The Collapse of the USSR
32:27 - Clarification: Russia perceiving Ukraine as Western
35:58 - The Orthodox Church in Modern Ukraine
46:35 - Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine
48:27 - ROCOR Response to the War
53:06 - Orthodox Ethnocentrism/Nationalism
58:44 - The Role of Patriarch Kirill
1:07:25 - Putin and Orthodoxy
1:12:50 - How to Interpret What's Happening (Pastoral Advice)
1:19:17 - Closing Words


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