Moscow and Belgrade’s Orthodox alliance: faith, identity and geopolitics converge

Over the past decade, relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Serbian Orthodox Church have developed into one of the most stable partnerships in the Orthodox world. On the surface, this appears to reflect a traditional closeness between two sister churches bound by shared Slavic and Orthodox identity. But beneath the rhetoric of spiritual brotherhood, a deeper layer is becoming increasingly visible: the formation of a shared ideological space in which religion, history and geopolitics are closely intertwined.

At the centre of this process stands Russian Patriarch Kirill, who has elevated the concept of the “Russian world” into a key ideological pillar of the Moscow Patriarchate. While he has never formally used the term “Serbian world”, an analysis of his public statements and official church documents suggests clear conceptual overlaps between the two frameworks.

Among all local Orthodox churches, the Serbian Orthodox Church has emerged as Moscow’s most consistent ally on major geopolitical and ecclesiastical issues in recent years. This alignment has become particularly visible since the start of the war in Ukraine, which has deepened divisions within global Orthodoxy and sharpened tensions between Moscow and parts of the wider Orthodox community.

While several churches have avoided openly endorsing Russia’s positions, Belgrade has maintained close ties with Moscow. In official communications, the Moscow Patriarchate consistently refers to the Serbian Church as a brotherly institution and to the Serbian people as one of Russia’s closest Orthodox nations.

A symbolic expression of this relationship came during the April 2025 visit of Serbian Patriarch Porfirije to Moscow. In his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Patriarch Kirill, he recalled a well-known maxim of his predecessor, the late Patriarch Irinej: “Our small boat must always be tied to the great Russian ship.” He added: “We feel and believe that this is true.”

Such language goes beyond standard diplomatic courtesy. It reflects a deeply rooted perception within parts of Serbia’s ecclesiastical and political elite of Russia as a natural protector and strategic partner.

Patriarch Kirill, for his part, emphasised during the same visit that relations between the two churches have “special significance” and that they are “always together”. The message was clear: Moscow and Belgrade are presenting not just traditional Orthodox solidarity, but a broader politico-civilisational alignment.

Kosovo as a shared symbolic cause

If there is one issue that most strongly unites Moscow and Belgrade, it is Kosovo.

For the Russian Orthodox Church, Kosovo is not merely a political dispute but a spiritual cornerstone of Serbian identity and a symbol of historical injustice against an Orthodox people. Patriarch Kirill has repeatedly expressed support for Serbia’s position on Kosovo and Metohija in meetings with Serbian officials, positioning Moscow as one of the most vocal international supporters of the Serbian narrative.

This stance also carries a broader geopolitical message. In Russian discourse, Kosovo is often used as an example of what Moscow describes as Western double standards in international affairs, particularly towards Orthodox nations.

Ukraine deepens the alignment

The Ukrainian church question has further strengthened ties between Moscow and Belgrade.

After the Ecumenical Patriarchate granted autocephaly to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in 2019, the Serbian Orthodox Church aligned itself with the Russian position and rejected the legitimacy of the decision. For Moscow, this support was strategically important, demonstrating that it was not isolated within global Orthodoxy.

Instead, it highlighted the existence of a group of churches sharing Moscow’s interpretation of canonical order and ecclesiastical authority.

In this sense, the Ukrainian issue has transformed the Moscow-Belgrade relationship from historical friendship into a more structured ecclesiastical and political alignment.

“Russian world” and “Serbian world”: parallel narratives

Perhaps the most striking aspect of this relationship is ideological convergence.

The concept of the “Russian world”, promoted by Patriarch Kirill, is built around the idea of a shared civilisational space encompassing Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians. It emphasises common history, Orthodox faith, cultural unity and a perceived mission to defend traditional values.

Remarkably similar ideas underpin the emerging discourse around a “Serbian world”, used in some political and intellectual circles in Serbia, Republika Srpska and Montenegro. In both cases, the narrative extends national identity beyond state borders and assigns a central role to the Church as guardian of unity and tradition.

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Both frameworks also define themselves in contrast to what is often described as a liberal Western model, positioning Orthodoxy as both a spiritual and cultural alternative.

While there is no official Russian Orthodox endorsement of the “Serbian world” concept in church documents, the ideological proximity between the two narratives is increasingly evident.

Church diplomacy or geopolitical actor?

In recent years, the Russian Orthodox Church has increasingly taken on functions that extend beyond traditional religious diplomacy.

Meetings between Patriarch Kirill and Serbian political leaders, along with coordinated positions on issues such as Kosovo and Ukraine, illustrate the Church’s growing role in articulating positions that align closely with Russian foreign policy priorities.

This has led analysts to view Moscow–Belgrade church relations as part of a broader strategic framework that combines religious identity with geopolitical alignment.

At its core, the relationship reflects a shared vision of a civilisational space defined by Orthodox heritage, historical memory and scepticism towards Western political models.

While official documents do not explicitly endorse the “Serbian world” concept, they do confirm one clear reality: the Serbian Orthodox Church remains Moscow’s closest and most reliable partner within global Orthodoxy.

And in an increasingly fragmented international environment, that partnership continues to carry significance far beyond the walls of the Church.

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The original article in Bulgarian by EUalive’s partner BGNES can be found here.

Caption: Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) welcomes Serbian Patriarch Porfirije (L) and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Russia before a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, 22 April 2025. EPA/GAVRIIL GRIGOROV / SPUTNIK /KREMLIN POOL