Last winter in moscow. Thousands of people lined up in the middle of the night to be a part of an old ritual. In the russian soul where under the single. Which we are facing god makes a strong lets get out together yet at. Something resembling a baptism for adults is taking place next to a church. The faithful take a quick dip in ice cold water. During the soviet era this Russian Orthodox ritual to mark a piece and all but disappeared now its being revived. This is not just about face its a way to show the world but russia is capable of. The world. On Russian Television is here to show president Vladimir Putin taking the plunge. 400 kilometers from moscow the man who serves as a role model for his country and has the chilly water when hes. Got. This ritual goodnights russians in different parts of the country. And the faithful are impressed that their president is leading by example. With the with the with brought about them living a good russian a religious russian if you spray people to his roots his country on a system in which he lives. And i want to bring about peace for us i need someone to lead the way. And thats flat on your part in the body but. Many things that were banned in the soviet union are now presented with pride including cossacks traditions. Not far from red square are the offices of saud bad t. V. Broadcaster that propagates a return to traditional values. Even in the lobby its clear who has the say here the president and the patriarch of moscow and all russia. The broadcaster was founded by constantine while if you have an orthodox businessman and putin ally here journalists criticize western decadence and declare homosexuality to be a cardinal sin so are grad t. V. s biggest star is host andre often asked you have. Thats always true to your hes considered one of the best and definitely a well equipped and russian say in the world. The main specialty of it is the him by saying that i can all. Jews or spend a crater its one of one of the symbols i would show up. In 2017 and very often as you have made International Headlines when he produced a video offering the russian homosexuals a free one way ticket to the us. We received a cue from which this is not a joke we really want you to move there where you can openly submit to your since you brought up. Star grad t. V. Says these kinds of pieces have increased viewer numbers substantially. The broadcaster claims a quarter of all russians have watched its programs at least once. The us thats a young video if im under very often us you welcome to the russian answer to. The programs fight for family values and against abortion and they depicts the west as decadent and corrupt. These are also favorite topics of owner constantine malik feel. The 45 year old business tycoon amassed his wealth through banking and internet companies. People call him the orthodox oligarchs though he sees himself as a monarchist hes also said to be interactive contact with Vladimir Putin. Putting in my house there from to substitute for the search for this moment there because what hes doing right now it would be the best what. Could be done by born star. He personifies himself with russia. To pass the sense of patriotism and orthodoxy on to the next generation constantine has also founded a school in the st basil the great school is located in an upscale neighborhood in moscow. 400 pupils attend classes in what resembles a palace the school is a Training Ground for russias future elites the walls are lined with images of past stars and famous russian writers constant reminders of the prerevolutionary russian empire. The point was you know for children to know more so these paintings. And dates its given some time to your hearts and to your mind to even if you are not meshing has been your module always would remember you know some some nice you know it back to russian history. Of to make sure nothing distracts from the special atmosphere cellphones arent allowed at the same basel the great school for just over 1000. 00 euros a month even Young Children get to learn all about tradition including Church Slavonic which is still used in orthodox services. Where its a volunteer like Church Slavonic was if it was my along with the classical education pupils were also taught good manners proper etiquette and dancing. The way 15 year old barbara is the daughter of an oil company sing and oh shes attended the school for 4 years. Not too bad. I proceed only 10. I think there is a sort of this traditional dance was very popular in the 19th century that. I. Think. Were practicing it for our schools anniversary celebrations what is it when our parents and many other guests will be clear voice. Celebrated in the style of the imperial era the ball is one of the highlights of the school year barbara will also dance before the watchful eyes of School Founder constantine around here. Ill admit im a bit nervous at the most but after the dress rehearsal there will be less stress and at the ball ill be much better for that your sister. Barbara lives in an exclusive residential area not far from the school with her parents and her younger brother. Room is decorated with russian icons but recently barbara has also been learning to play the guitar and her walls are also covered with posters of rock bands which arent on the curriculum at the st basel the great school. Should be a somewhat pushy im a completely normal teenager distillate i listen to alternative rock i like the ramstein 3 days grace and green day. And theres a magic dragons and my chemical romance she made the rainbow flags which symbolize the l g b t Pride Movement herself. I knew my parents dont know what these colors mean then or at school they tell us that homosexuality is something bad. But i think that all people are equal. Doesnt even if someone has black skin or a different Sexual Orientation they should be respected and loved with your view wishing youre with them you. Know. This evening barbaras parents are hosting a dinner party her father andre is cooking a specialty from siberia where he grew up. This is siberian sturgeon was the favorite dish of people in the north. That old if we lived in the north for 40 years my parents moved there in their youth in the days when it was still the soviet union also i would see them in. Andre trained as a geologist he worked for an oil company and rose through the ranks until he became its c. E. O. Now he belongs to the russian elite. Are the delicious. She barbaras mother anastasio is also preparing a siberian specialty. That the baking librarian tell many dumplings filled with ground russians love them just. Another married couple and barbaras grandparents have been invited for dinner. And of course theres lots to drink 6 years i wish you luck and with. More on the way glad youre here. Its up. To you in russia its a tradition to say a toast before drinking another glass. As for that post the hospital is more of our shores and you know i drink to your big family may have remained united thats whats most valuable to ourselves. And that you honor tradition to you and your specific things weve known each other so long because thats not. Maybe these russians are so focused on tradition because their recent history has been so chaotic for many change breeds fear the bullshit that in russian history hes in every major changes lead to violence. If you please could you do any preaching to those who believe weve always had bloody revolution listened to coups with many deaths and the lives shattered. Ladyship. Right here theyre all put in supporters mainly because russia has enjoyed sustained Economic Growth during his rule. Since 1999 the average income has increased 10 fold more using your assumption and today we have more faith in the future. The country has stabilized. We feel protected in every way you can make money legally stability is the most important thing. But putin doesnt just have the wealthy upper class behind him he can also rely on the support of a legendary slavic people known for their courage and fighting skills the cossacks. Their troops on horseback once defended russias borders and spread fear among opponents and religious minorities. Rostov on don in southern russia is the center of john cossack culture. Grigori is 15 years old his father and his grandfather were cossacks his lifes aim is to defend his homeland. The hurdle to put down which everyone must decide if hes a patriot or not. So today russia is subject to many dangers from abroad. Some of which is a she should i have to defend my motherland one day. I mean prepared to sacrifice my life with regard to the stories we need to instill. Grigori has already internalized the cossacks values of patriotism militarism and orthodoxy. Its a mixture that matches blood amir putins conservative ideals. Grigori as a cadet at the highly regarded shakti cossacks cool. Here 220. 00 young men are preparing for their military service. While those who go off and therefore calle the flags of the Russian Federation and the rest of regional jets go our course. In soviet times cossacks were oppressed. After the iron curtain collapsed their culture began to flourish again putin officially integrated them into the russian army this school is publicly funded but let me. I expect our president to hold the country together and ensure our welfare system. Today is most important duty is the security of our country and he must see to it that there is peace in our nation. Because whats happening in our borders frightens us. Any. Gory and his fellow pupils have the same curriculum as in other russian schools they study everything from math to literature but here there is a special focus on history specifically the history of the cossacks because look at. What i said not for what. Were looking for good for the cause x. Your head covering as a question of honor. Our forefathers only removed it to pray when they entered a church or were communing with god. Lets just. Run across a guide on the battlefield and show he was never buried with his cap. Just to move that it was always brought to his widow. If you were going. Along with the uniforms and weapons pupils are also told about their forefathers heroic deeds grigori and his friends are proud of these stories. But just because the venue because they came in the cossacks played a key role in almost all the wars. Iteration of boy they were the 1st to go into battle. Its because of them that russia was so powerful. You could. So at the school they also put theory into practice they reenact historical battles to internalise heroic fields from bygone days. It was our thats come here. For School Director vitali its an indispensable exercise. But the school go boom we want your bread isnt enough we have to put on the uniforms of our forefathers and use their weapons and march for kilometers in the same conditions youll meet you kill em you through the future we have to withstand cold and snow storms for war thats the only way to learn our history in the your numbers but. That was. After an hour of drills in temperatures of minus 15 degrees celsius the caustic students can finally warm up but before they eat they have to pray. You. Shit. I know what i. Hear what youre saying its a big issue its a commotion we just want to share this adventure with my comrades so if you ever need me ill help them out but i feel connected to them and perhaps will serve in the same regiment. Range for fitness. The older students are doing bodybuilding their big role model is flatter me or putin. Knows what is good in a strong man for you. They can use their see as a strong character is not in your slow speed physically and mentally strong. Must just one of the saudis even a martial arts master. Just uses the word system thats all you can lead a country of 150000000 people do the work they just its only he can help our country advance and develop which it was there was. Just i dont see anyone who can equal him. Good or replace him as president. Yes. Right. Like every weekend grigori is packing his things. Tomorrow hes going home its a 200 kilometer trip. He lives in a small town of some 8000 people in this house. And its just so much. I miss you too. These. Are gorgeous parents are divorced. His mother yelena works in a medical lab and earns around 300 euros a month. When her son comes home she lets him sleep in the only bad. It is it a one block local class my brother was just going to school because hes a soldier in a special forces unit its nice youll notice that it was you do it and hes my role model. Thats what a real man and soldier should be like you know beach. The way you approached the chili to. Yelena does worry about her boys but her love for her country is paramount. The most important thing is that my sons defend our nation. They must be prepared to sacrifice themselves for their comrades if necessary. Is this ive raised my sons to be real men. Because. She thinks putin is a good president. He supports the revival of also doxy and has had many churches built for us cossacks thats important. Since putin has been in power the Russian Orthodox church has enjoyed a noticeable revival. In the last 2 decades around a 1000 churches have been restored or rebuilt each year. Many were destroyed during stalins rule. Since 201165 churches have been erected in moscow alone another 150 are in the planning. The idea is for every muscovite to have a house of worship within easy reach. The moscow patriarchate has even been offered the citys green spaces as building sites. The conflict has erupted between residents and Church Leaders over the tough younker park in northern moscow. On the one side or priests and the faithful who are staking their claim by holding regular man. Says here. On the other side are angry locals who dont want to lose their park. Chocolatier prenatal shut is the Group Spokeswoman for 2 years shes been fighting to have the construction stopped or at least postponed. There are already 4 churches in this district this would be the 5th why did they have to destroy the park when there are already so many people. Recently natasha and her friends were attacked by a group of thugs. Nearby doing just what i was punched in the head he gave me a black eye and broke my bra bones both of those generally because i filed a Police Report i received threats will kill you in the name of our faith looks like little on. The other protesters were beaten up too but to date the police have stood idly by you know like you know i want to ask you if many of us were attacked and injured by a says type thoughts yet nothing was done about it. Why dont you would russia were not going to. Meet with. The group which calls itself 40 times 40 is protected by the authorities. It acts on behalf of the Orthodox Church the name 40 times 40 refers to the 1600. 00 churches that were set to exist in moscow before the revolution former hooligans and martial artists comprise the armed wing of the Orthodox Church. The group holds president putin in high esteem and claims to act. In russias interest these scenes show 40 times 40 s violent intervention a tour for young. And their own way they demonstrate the growing power of the Russian Orthodox church. That. We meet members of the group. One of its leaders are invited us to a church. In the basement theyre practicing martial arts. Beforehand they also pray here. For sympathy and welcome. To the little. Boy to come lineup to break. Very soon to say the city of seeing with her the play gets us to the booth one of fire can be seen as a mini flip National Solution it doesnt the group is comprised of a colorful mix of Students Police officers and i. T. Experts like. Twice a week they gather here to train after work. For the family so lets go. First and keep moving. You know. What tells us that to defend their who defends the Russian Church with a sword in a field so its a good thing for us long its there to get over it or push the lord so somewhere glover the loss of the orthodoxy in our country are important to us. The notion you are seeing. During the soviet era such emblems were forbidden. Now theyre being used to win the faithful respect the abortion laws dives i should say so right we have to protect our members in our cathedrals ok if someone attacks us or makes fun of holy things then we have to try to defend them with a book in which we must defend them thinking of them without any good report thats a shocker for. People. Over time 40 times 40 have made themselves indispensable. I here is fortunate that they were taking on more and more duties at 1st we only defended holy sites or she just said that now we also help with the patriarchs Church Services. They are for that. On the same evening 40 times 40 will be on duty at a ceremonial mouse attended by then Prime Minister dmitri maybe i did. I. The cathedral of christ the savior moscows largest cathedral is heavily guarded only invited guests are allowed to. Well see this is the invitation. That if you needed to get in the photo move over where you can almost i lived where i got it thats a secret change itself he used to look can. I can and his friends dont need an invitation. Around a dozen people from their group are in attendance. At the officially theyre here as stewards for. Every other crazy thing or emotions were running. The cathedral is full of security personnel. The Church Service is being transmitted live on television. Then Prime MinisterDmitri Medvedev has come to hear Patriarch Kirill sermon in person. Try to. President s is a good omen. The. Culture of russia start somewhere with our best times were always when political power in the church where united the some little as long as this alliance lasts nothing can happen to us of this star nation with the rights. That he had to have us here to represent that amir puton who was attending a celebration in St Petersburg. Started by cable monk a Crosley Christians like it that putin is an orthodox believer that shit so he support