Cross and Kremlin A Brief History of the Orthodox Church in Russia

Michael Plekon--Baruch College, City University of New York"The Russian Orthodox Church has a complex history, fascinating theology, intriguing saints, and a beautiful panoply of sacred art in icons and music and liturgy. Thomas Bremer does a great service in providing a most accessible, accurate, and informative overview of it all. This will be the best encounter that many readers have with the Russian incarnation of Christianity."Gregory Freeze--Brandeis University"Bremer's history of Russian Orthodoxy -- from its inception in the tenth century to its status in the early twenty-first -- is erudite, concise, and readable. After a brief historical overview, the book follows a thematic structure, with chapters on such matters as church-state relations, theology, and dissidence. . . . This excellent translation of the 2007 German original (updated to include recent statistics) provides general readers with a reliable introduction to Russian Orthodoxy -- the first such volume to appear in recent times."Gregory Havrilak--Georgetown University"This is not just another history book on the Russian Church. For the student and teacher of religion, culture, and East European history, it offers a fresh approach to discussing current challenges facing the Church, such as national identity issues, global ethics, and ecumenical relations since 1990. Bremer's Cross and Kremlin will more than bring you up to date. I wholeheartedly recommend it."Paul Mojzes--Rosemont College"Thomas Bremer's Cross and Kremlin is a sympathetic yet critical interpretation of Russian Orthodoxy by a non-Orthodox expert who loves and understands its varied historical and thematic manifestations. This book will be welcomed by specialists and nonexperts alike."Ines Angeli Murzaku--Seton Hall University"The history of Russia and the history of the Russian Orthodox Church are inherently connected. Written by a seasoned scholar, this highly readable, chronological, succinct yet thorough explanation of the thou