Russian Society and The Orthodox Church: Religion in Russia after communism Zoe Knox This book examines the Russian Orthodox Church's social and political role and its relationship to civil society in postcommunist Russia. It shows how Orthodox prelates, clergy and laity have shaped Russians; attitudes towards religious and ideological pluralism, which in turn have influenced the ways in which Russians understand civil society, including those of its features - pluralism and freedom of conscience - that are essential for a functioning democracy. It demonstrates how the non-official church, including nonconformist clergy and lay activists, has contributed to the construction of civil society, while the governing body of the Church, the Moscow Patriarchate, has at times impeded the development of civil society. These opposing contributions to the country's postcommunist trajectory point to the myriad influences of Russian Orthodoxy on modern Russia. Zoe Knox completed this book whilst a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Centre for European Studies at Monash University, Melbourne. She is currently a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Center for the Study of Cultures at Rice University, USA. Her research interests include Russian Orthodoxy and democracy; the Orthodox Church and Russian national identity; religion and post-Soviet nationalism; and religion and national identity in post communist states.