Digital Orthodoxy and Political Populism in Eastern Europe: How Orthodox Media Facilitate Political Mobilization

This article examines the intersection of Orthodox digital media and political populism in Eastern Europe, focusing on how religious institutions utilize digital platforms to facilitate political mobilization, reinforce nationalistic narratives, and undermine democratic institutions. Drawing on a comparative analysis of six countries–Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Georgia, and Montenegro–the study identifies a shared ideological matrix that fuses populist rhetoric with theological motifs. The research highlights the strategic use of digital media by Orthodox actors to construct moral binaries, sacralize political resistance, and disseminate disinformation framed in religious language. Particular attention is given to the role of the Russian Orthodox Church and the exportability of the "Russkii Mir" concept as a scalable model of religious-political influence. Through case-based exploration and analysis of media content, the article demonstrates how Orthodox populism employs symbolic authority and emotional engagement to create echo chambers, legitimize authoritarian tendencies, and reframe civic action as spiritual warfare. The study concludes that this fusion of religion, media, and populism constitutes not only a cultural trend but an operational framework capable of destabilizing democratic resilience across the region. By unpacking these dynamics, the article contributes to broader discussions on religious populism, digital authoritarianism, and democratic backsliding in Eastern Europe.