Russia's weird combat-training & patriotism children's groups run by the Orthodox Church

[uhnope]

In a small town outside St Petersburg, a group of children are being prepared for service in the Russian army. Arriving at 7pm, the class – all aged between five and 17 – will spend the evening learning how to fight and handle weapons.

This is St Spyridon the Triumphant Orthodox, a patriotic club aiming to “bring children to the church” through sport and military-style training, says their coach, Michael Lysovskiy.
Vladimir Putin opens Russian 'military Disneyland' Patriot Park
Read more

Thousands of clubs like this exist across Russia, forming an integral part of a nation-wide initiative for the “military-patriotic education of the population”, regulated by the government through a significant programme of financial support.

With an upsurge in support for the armed forces because of the conflict in eastern Ukraine and Crimea, the government is assessing a new programme proposed by the Ministry of Education to significantly increase the budget for military education – and combat awareness – for children and young people.
Read more http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/09/russia-patriotic-education-rise-ukraine-military

[msongs]

1. training to end the non-believer problem. flashbacks to the 1930's nt

[independentpiney]

2. way too reminiscient of the 1930s.

Though orthodox church acting as another arm of the state goes back to much earlier times.