Naveed
Vladimir Putin identifies as Russian Orthodox Christian. He has said his mother had him secretly baptized as a baby in Soviet Leningrad, and that he has worn his baptismal cross since 1993, when his mother asked him to have it blessed in Jerusalem.
| Religion | Christianity (Russian Orthodox) |
|---|---|
| Status | Confirmed by his own public statements |
| Full name | Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin |
| Born | October 7, 1952, Leningrad (now St Petersburg), USSR |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Profession | Politician; President of Russia |
| Family background | Mother Maria, an Orthodox believer; father Vladimir, a Communist Party member and atheist |
What Religion Is Vladimir Putin?
Putin is Russian Orthodox. He attends Orthodox Christmas and Easter services, which are broadcast on Russian television, and has made the Russian Orthodox Church a pillar of his idea of Russian identity.
A Secret Soviet Baptism
Putin grew up in a communal apartment in Leningrad. His father was an atheist and Communist Party member, but his mother was a believer. In interviews published in 2000, the year he first became president, he said his mother had him baptized secretly, without his father knowing.
The Baptismal Cross
Putin has told the story of his cross in several interviews. In 1993, while working for the St Petersburg city government, he visited Israel with an official delegation. His mother gave him his baptismal cross to have it blessed at the Tomb of Christ in Jerusalem, and he says he has worn it ever since.
Faith and Politics
Commentators across the spectrum, from The Spectator to the London School of Economics’ religion blog, have written about how closely Putin’s government works with the Orthodox Church and Patriarch Kirill. Critics argue that he uses Orthodoxy to support his political aims, including the war in Ukraine; others see a sincere, if very Russian, faith.
FAQ
Is Vladimir Putin religious?
He identifies as Russian Orthodox and attends major church services, though how devout he is privately is debated.
Was Putin baptized?
Yes. He says his mother had him baptized secretly as a baby.
Does Putin wear a cross?
He says he has worn his baptismal cross since 1993.
Related Celebrities
- Volodymyr Zelensky's religion
- Benjamin Netanyahu's religion
- Nayib Bukele's religion
- Donald Trump's religion
Sources
- ReligionFacts: Vladimir Putin and religion
- The Spectator: Putin and the power of the Orthodox Church
- LSE Religion and Global Society: Putin's spiritual destiny
- Wikipedia: Vera Putina
Last updated: September 24, 2026.
