de facto states, Abkhazia, South Ossetia, religious policy, orthodoxy

Abkhazia and South Ossetia represent specific cases of disintegration of the Soviet empire. Owing to an extensive support of Russia, they managed to effectively separate from Georgia and to get formal recognition of their independence from Russia Yet, an important role is also played by the so-called soft power, in particular the concept of Russian World Foundation and the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church. In Abkhazia and South Ossetia, an interesting situation has arisen. Both of these separatist republics are under direct control of Russia. Nonetheless, what is surprising is the position of the Russian Orthodox Church, which in other countries unreservedly supports Russian power politics. In Abkhazia and South Ossetia it rejects to break the boundaries of its ecclesiastical jurisdiction and it has refused the admission of Orthodox believers under ROC, explaining that even after the political separation local Orthodox believers belonged under the jurisdiction of the Georgian Orth. Church.

Abkhazia and South Ossetia represent specific cases of disintegration of the Soviet empire. Owing to an extensive support of Russia, they managed to effectively separate from Georgia and to get formal recognition of their independence from Russia Yet, an important role is also played by the so-called soft power, in particular the concept of Russian World Foundation and the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church. In Abkhazia and South Ossetia, an interesting situation has arisen. Both of these separatist republics are under direct control of Russia. Nonetheless, what is surprising is the position of the Russian Orthodox Church, which in other countries unreservedly supports Russian power politics. In Abkhazia and South Ossetia it rejects to break the boundaries of its ecclesiastical jurisdiction and it has refused the admission of Orthodox believers under the ROC, explaining that even after the political separation local Orthodox believers belonged under the jurisdiction of the Georgian Orth. Church.