MOSCOW, February 5, 2009. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents data on whether they know the name of new Russian Orthodox Church`s leader, how they estimate the election approved by the Council and what feeling Patriarch Kirill evokes.
More than a quarter of Russians (26%) do not know who was appointed the Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch. Most of them are Ural citizens (41%), men (29%) and 18-24 aged respondents (46%). Nevertheless, more than two thirds (68%) can tell the correct name of the new Orthodox Church leader, most of them are residents of Central and North-Western Federal Districts (77-78%), women (71%) and respondents aged 60 and above.
The overwhelming majority of those who know the name of the new Patriarch (88%) positively assess the decision of the Local Council voted for Kirill to be the head of the Russians Orthodox Church - 51% certainly approve, 37% - likely approve. Only 2% reacted negatively - rather disapprovingly or certainly disapprovingly (1% for each). 11% were undecided.
The smaller the inhabited locality is, the more often its residents assess the Local Council members` decision positively: 82-84% of both capitals residents and big cities against 88-90% of respondents from the average and small towns and villages (of those who correctly name new Patriarch). The part of those who approve of the results of the voting are the largest among those respondents aged 60 and above (92%).
Almost half of Russians who knows the name of the Patriarch (46%) feel respect towards him. New leader evokes hope for 29% of respondents. Every fourth feel liking and trust towards Kirill (24% for each). Another 7% are admired by his personality; those who feel love and skepticism are 1% for each. Only 5% are indifferent to Kirill. However, none of respondents knowing his name pointed out that the new Orthodox Church leader evoked disappointment, distrust, antipathy or hatred (0%).
Men and women equally respect the new Partriarch (47% and 45% respectively). The majority of those who feel the same are respondents aged above 45 (47-49%) and Russians with elementary or incomplete secondary education (54%). Those who have hopes on Patriarch Kirill are often women (33%), Russians aged 60 and above (37%) and Russians whose level of education is not higher than secondary (31-32%). Women (26%) and Russians aged above 35 (24-26%) are those who often feel liking towards the Patriarch. Russians aged 45-59 (28%), as well as those with secondary education or higher level of education (23-25%) tend to trust Kirill.
The initiative Russian opinion poll was conducted on January 31 - February 1, 2009. 1600 respondents were interviewed at 140 sampling points in 42 regions of Russia.
The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.
This week the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church has elected a new Patriarch. Name him, please. (open-ended question, one answer) | |||
| Total respondents | Sex | |
Men | Women | ||
Patriarch Kirill | 68 | 65 | 71 |
Another | 1 | 1 | 1 |
I do not know | 26 | 29 | 24 |
Hard to tell | 5 | 5 | 4 |
This week the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church has elected a new Patriarch. Name him, please. (open-ended question, one answer) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Age, years | ||||
18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 and above | ||
Patriarch Kirill | 68 | 45 | 59 | 69 | 76 | 82 |
Another | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
I do not know | 26 | 46 | 35 | 26 | 20 | 15 |
Hard to tell | 5 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
How would you assess the decision taken by the Council's members voted for the new Patriarch? (close-ended question, one answer by those who know the name of new Patriarch) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Age, years | ||||
18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 and above | ||
Certainly approve | 51 | 42 | 44 | 45 | 52 | 60 |
Likely approve | 37 | 38 | 45 | 37 | 36 | 32 |
Likely disapprove | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
Certainly disapprove | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Hard to tell | 11 | 18 | 10 | 15 | 9 | 7 |
What feelings does the new Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church evoke for you? (close-ended question, not more than three answers by those who know the name of the new Patriarch) | |||
| Total respondents | Sex | |
Men | Women | ||
Admiration | 7 | 7 | 7 |
Disappointment | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Hope | 29 | 24 | 33 |
Distrust | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Liking | 24 | 21 | 26 |
Respect | 46 | 47 | 45 |
Antipathy | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Trust | 24 | 23 | 24 |
Skepticism | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Indifference | 5 | 7 | 4 |
Love | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Hatred | 0 |
| 0 |
Hard to tell | 8 | 10 | 6 |
What feelings does the new Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church evoke for you? (close-ended question, not more than three answers by those who know the name of the new Patriarch) | |||
| Total respondents | Sex | |
Men | Women | ||
Respect | 46 | 47 | 45 |
Hope | 29 | 24 | 33 |
Liking | 24 | 21 | 26 |
Trust | 24 | 23 | 24 |
Admiration | 7 | 7 | 7 |
Indifference | 5 | 7 | 4 |
Skepticism | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Skepticism | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Disappointment | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Distrust | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Antipathy | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Hatred | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Hard to tell | 8 | 10 | 6 |
What feelings does the new Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church evoke for you? (close-ended question, not more than three answers by those who know the name of the new Patriarch) | ||||||
| Total respondents | Age, years | ||||
18-24 | 25-34 | 35-44 | 45-59 | 60 and above | ||
Respect | 46 | 45 | 45 | 41 | 47 | 49 |
Hope | 29 | 21 | 22 | 28 | 28 | 37 |
Liking | 24 | 15 | 22 | 26 | 24 | 26 |
Trust | 24 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 22 |
Admiration | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 |
Indifference | 5 | 11 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
Skepticism | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Love | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Disappointment | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Distrust | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Antipathy | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Hatred | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Hard to tell | 8 | 13 | 13 | 7 | 7 | 5 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or www.wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM,
the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!