‘Nativeland protected by God'

While similarly authored by Sergei Mikhalkov, the 2000 Russian national anthem has lyrics unthinkable for its 1943 Soviet predecessor. Its second verse lauds Russia as ‘Native land protected by God!’ (Khranimaia Bogom rodnaia zemlia!), echoing the Russian Orthodox liturgy's ‘Let us pray to the Lord for our country protected by God’ (O Bogokhranimei strane nashei, … Gospodu pomolimsia). ¹ True to her mystical designation, Russia is once again routinely regarded as Orthodox. President Putin claimed his nation to be ‘probably the largest Orthodox power’ with a 90 per cent Orthodox population during his 2005 visit to Mount Athos. ² Initiated by the Moscow Patriarchate, the Russian public calendar marked Baptism of Rus Day for the first time on 28 July 2010. ³