The goal of the present paper consists to identify and describe the key economic functions of the Russian Orthodox Church. These functions include economic ideology, resource provision, entrepreneurship, certification, social support and church-state cooperation. A detailed description of each function is provided, along with recommendations for improving their fulfillment in order to achieve the goals of the church and benefit society. One of the main challenges is the lack of a unified economic doctrine for the church, which would clarify its principles of economic activity. Five recommendations are provided for approved business practices and tools, and the development of such a doctrine should be a priority. The absence of an economic doctrine is combined with high activity of the Russian Orthodox Church in entrepreneurship and resource provision. This means that current economic practices of the church are not supported by orthodox economic doctrine. From this point of view, the church as an economic actor is similar to other businesses. This may lead to tensions within the church and in its relationship with society.
Key words: Russian Orthodox Church, economic role, economic activity, entrepreneurial activity, principles of orthodox economy
DOI: 10.22250/2072-8662-2024-3-39-53
About the author
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Ivan D. Kotliarov – Candidate of Science (Economics), Associate Professor; Assisitant Professor, Higher School of Service and Trade; Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University; 50 Novorossiyaskaya St., St. Petersburg, 194021, Russia; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |