Alexandre Kirlejev

This article provides an overview of the Russian Orthodox Church in the post-Soviet period. Written by Alexander Kirleyev, a layman involved in evangelization in Russia and initially published in the *Bulletin of Aid to Believers in Russia*, it takes an analytical and testimonial approach. The author observes a stabilization of religious life, marked by a visible but superficial renewal: increased presence of the Church in the public sphere, closer ties with political power, and the development of a missionary department. However, he points to structural weaknesses: dependence on the State, silence during the Chechen conflict, and mistrust of religious pluralism. The main contribution of the article lies in the distinction between an official and representative Church, and an authentic ecclesial vitality, carried by local, ecumenical and social initiatives, which the author considers the only ones capable of ensuring lasting Christian renewal.