Putin cast as national saviour ahead of Russia election
Long presented as the bare-chested, macho leader who defends Russia against the West, President Vladimir Putin now has a rather more mystical image in state media.
With elections looming in March, leading state-controlled TV channels are roping in religion to cast him as a national saviour who healed Russia's historical divisions and rescued the nation from chaos.
Valaam is repeatedly described as the "mirror of Russia". Its recovery from the ruin inflicted after the October 1917 Revolution is meant to be a metaphor for the country's own journey under Mr Putin.
"Valaam died when the great Russian state was destroyed," the presenter says. "It was restored, and our state again rose up from its knees," he adds, over video of Mr Putin visiting the monastery.
With elections looming in March, leading state-controlled TV channels are roping in religion to cast him as a national saviour who healed Russia's historical divisions and rescued the nation from chaos.
Valaam is repeatedly described as the "mirror of Russia". Its recovery from the ruin inflicted after the October 1917 Revolution is meant to be a metaphor for the country's own journey under Mr Putin.
"Valaam died when the great Russian state was destroyed," the presenter says. "It was restored, and our state again rose up from its knees," he adds, over video of Mr Putin visiting the monastery.
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