What Is the Secret of Putin’s Appeal, Explained

The Russian president Vladimir Putin enjoys approval ratings Western leaders can only dream of, even as they dismiss him as an isolationist and authoritarian leader. What is the secret of Putin’s appeal?

President Vladimir Putin Attends Orthodox Christmas Service in Veliky Novgorod, Russia , 2017

Orthodox Christmas in 360: Midnight Service at Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow

Hundreds of Orthodox Christians gathered at Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow on Friday, to attend a midnight service led by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and all Russia. In line with the Julian calendar, Russian Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 6, 13 days after those using the Gregorian calendar.

‘Western Laws Now Clash with Moral Nature of Man’ – Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill (Exclusive)

In an exclusive interview with RT, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, shared his ideas on the difficult situations of Christians in the Middle East, the US presidential election, and European multiculturalism.

Russian Orthodox Church Supports Putin's 'Holy War' in Syria to Protect Christians

CHRISTIAN TODAY: Russia is waging a "holy war" in Syria to protect innocent Christians against the "tyranny of terrorism," the powerful Russian Orthodox Church declared in a statement on Wednesday as Russian warplanes began pounding targets in Syria.

"Russia took a responsible decision to use military forces to protect the Syrian people from the woes brought on by the tyranny of terrorists," Russian Orthodox Church's Patriarch Kirill said in an official statement.

The Patriarch said Russia's armed intervention became necessary since "the political process has not led to any noticeable improvement in the lives of innocent people, and they need military protection."

Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin, a spokesman for the Russian Orthodox Church, which has 150 million members worldwide, pointed out that President Vladimir Putin's decision to send Russian forces to Syria has the approval of parliament and is "consistent with international law, the mentality of our people and the role that our country has always played in the Middle East," the Interfax news agency said as reported by the International Business Times.

Chaplin said Russia cannot turn its back on Christians and other minority groups being wiped out by Islamic State militants and other extremist forces. » | Hazel Torres | Friday, October 2, 2015

Nicholas II: Russia's Last Emperor
To this day, Russians have differing opinions on the country's last tsar, Nicholas II, who was executed by the Bolsheviks in 1918.

Some call him a model statesman and even a martyr - while others dismiss him as a faceless politician who ruined his country.

He's referred to as both Nicholas the Slaughterer and the Tsar-Martyr. So what was the real story behind the last emperor?