(Reuters) – Alexei Navalny, a Christian who denounced the invasion of Ukraine as a delusional endeavor founded on falsehoods, was set to have his funeral at a church that has donated to the Russian army and openly expressed support for the war.
Navalny, Russia’s prominent opposition figure, died suddenly on Feb. 16 in a penitentiary in the Arctic where he was serving multiple sentences totaling over 30 years. The Kremlin denies claims by his family that he was deliberately killed.
His supporters announced that the funeral would be held on Friday at the “Quench my Sorrows” church near Navalny’s former residence in southeast Moscow, followed by burial at a nearby cemetery after his elderly mother fought for a week to secure his body’s release.
The funeral arrangements were called into question when individuals unknown to Navalny’s allies allegedly blocked an attempt to hire a hearse to transport his body to the service. Earlier in the day, a heavy police presence was observed near the white onion-domed church adorned with golden crosses.
Navalny’s wife expressed uncertainty about the event’s peaceful conduct, fearing potential arrests of her husband’s supporters by the police. Attendees have been advised by lawyers to avoid carrying banners, wearing slogan-bearing shirts, or responding to provocations to minimize risks.
If the funeral proceeds as planned, Navalny may not receive a eulogy reflecting his years of opposition to President Vladimir Putin and his vocal criticism of the Ukrainian invasion.
Multiple social media posts from the church’s platforms in the last two weeks clearly indicate the clergy and congregation’s support for the war.
In one video, a priest and another man are seen near the church next to a Niva SUV purchased with donated funds to aid “our warriors” in Ukraine, sending wishes for victory and a safe return. Another video shows young girls in army-style hats performing to mark “Defender of the Fatherland” day.
The church’s Sunday school shared that children and parents visited the main church of the armed forces before the holiday to admire mosaics and stained glass windows commemorating Russian victories. Previous posts revealed fundraising for military supplies and moral support for troops.
The church’s main priest, Anatoly Rodionov, a former Soviet army lieutenant, has been linked to the church’s pro-war activities. Critics of the Orthodox Church hierarchy, which has expelled priests advocating for peace, suggest that Rodionov’s church aligns with the war narrative pushed by the government.
Typically at a Russian Orthodox funeral, mourners hold candles near the coffin while a priest leads prayers and chanting. The priest may give a sermon reflecting on the deceased’s life, but this is not always the case.
Navalny, who talked about his religious beliefs and fought for the right to have a Bible in prison, will likely receive a traditional Orthodox funeral devoid of any political comments or critiques.
“I hope they will stick to the required liturgical texts and refrain from adding personal remarks at Alexei’s grave,” said religious commentator Ksenia Luchenko. Navalny transitioned from atheism to Christianity, finding solace in faith during his legal battles.
