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 the single. Which we are facing god makes a strong thats in the air out here on yetta. Something resembling a baptism for adults is taking place next to a church. The faithful take a quick dip and ice cold water. To dinner at home during the soviet era this Russian Orthodox ritual to mark a pit and all that disappeared now its being revived. This is not just about faith its a way to show the world but russia is capable of. This world of. 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 enters the chilly water. This ritual good nights russians in different parts of the country. And the faithful are impressed that their president is leading by example. With both the broad bottom of it a good russian or a religious russian if you spray people to his roots his countrymen this is to me what you let us. Want to bring about peace for us you need someone to lead the way. And thats not on your part of 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 sark t. V. A 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. An orthodox businessman and putin ally here journalists criticize western decadence and declare homosexuality to be a cardinal sin so our grad t. V. s biggest star is host andre often as 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 a hand plane that i can all. Jews or sponsor crater its one of one of the symbols of our channel. In 2017 andre often as you have made International Headlines when he produced a video offering the russian homosexuals a free one way ticket to the u. S. When you see him from which this is not a joke we really want you to move there where you can openly submit to your sentiments your back up i. Saw 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. Those of us thats a young video if im underage often i see 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 honor constantine mother 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 marxist hes also said to be into regular contact with Vladimir Putin. Putting in my i was there from could substitute for the star for this moment there. Because what hes doing right now it would be the best what 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 man the field has also founded a school the same 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 czars and famous russian writers constant reminders of the prerevolutionary russian empire. The point was of course you know for children true no more space paintings. And dates its given some time to your hearts and to your mind she wondered if you are not meshing has been your module all this would remember you know some some nice you know it back to russian history. Of to make sure nothing distracts from the special atmosphere cell phones 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. And. When i say well do you like Church Slavonic was if we both walk along with the classical education pupils are also taught good manners proper etiquette and dancing. The way 15 year old barbara is the daughter of an oil company c. E. O. And oh shes attended the school for 4 years. Not too bad. Procedure and it turned. I think they did so and this traditional dance was very popular in the 19th century. As well i think thats why. I know 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 the chances for. 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 same basel the great school. Shesher some of which she im a completely normal teenager make up artist little guy listen to alternative rock like 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 nor at school they tell us that homosexuality is something bad. But i think that all people are equal if. You dont know. 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. A little 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. 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 for the delicious. She barbaras mother anastasio is also preparing a siberian specialty. At the baking library impel many dumplings filled with grammies in on the russians love them just in. 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 love you on the way glad you hear. This stuff. Here in russia its a tradition to say a toast before drinking another glass. As for that poll says the us will hold our shores high drink to your big family may it remain united thats whats most valuable to ourselves. And that you honor tradition to you in the 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 is every major changes lead to violence. If you please could you let me push you into this could be weve always had bloody revolution losing to crews with many deaths and lives shattered. Ladyship. All. 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 union 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 the don 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 without a little before the wish to submit is a she think you should i have to defend my motherland one day. I mean prepared to sacrifice my life with. 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 kill the fly eggs of the Russian Federation and the rest of regional jets go our court will soon know. In soviet times cossacks were oppressed after the iron curtain collapsed their culture began to flourish again and putin officially integrated them into the russian army this school is publicly funded but let me know i expect our president to hold the country together and ensure our welfare missed any. Today is most important duty is the security of our country and must see to it that there is peace in our nation. Because whats happening at our borders frightens us. Many. Grigori and his fellow peoples have the same curriculum as in other russian schools they study everything from math to literature but here theres a special focus on history specifically the history of the cossacks because look at. What i said not for what. The. Good one of those are 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. Thats just. That goes on across that died on the battlefield. He was never buried with his cassock. The mystery was that it was always brought to his widow. To be the one that he will then. Along with the uniforms and weapons pupils are also told about their forefathers heroic deeds grigori and his friends are proud of these stories. The most discussed of any because even the cossacks played a key role in almost all the wars. Of boy they were the 1st to go into battle. Its because of them that russia was so powerful. So at the school they also put theory into practice they reenact historical battles to internalize heroic feats from bygone days. Good it was good thats come here. For School Director vitali its an indispensable exercise. But the school go boom we what weve read 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 make you kill em you pick usually have to withstand cold and snowstorms for war thats the only way to learn our history in the year number but he still. 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. Oh. Shit. I know what i feel. Like youre saying its a big issue its a commotion yes and i want to share this adventure with my comrades so if he ever need me ill help them out but i feel connected to them and perhaps will be to serve in the same regiment. Of my out of range for fitness. For. The older students are doing bodybuilding their big role model is glad im here putin. Knows what is good in a strong man for you. They can use their see as a strong character is not here to use their speech physically and mentally strong. Much just one of the saudis even a martial arts master with more prestigious awards system thats all you can lead a country of 150000000 people do the work they just to china he can help our country advance and develop what your is your out. This is just i dont see anyone who can equal him. Good or replace him as president. Yes yes. 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. Mr so much. I missed you so. Hes. Free coreys 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 to she was brought low class my brother was just go to school hes a soldier in a special forces unit its nice to know hes my role model. Thats what a real man and soldier should be like. The way you approached the chili. Yelena does worry about her boys but her love for her country is paramount and. The most important thing is that my sons defend our nation. And they must be prepared to sacrifice themselves for their comrades if necessary. I have raised my sons to be real men. She thinks putin is a good president. He supports the revival of also doxy and has had many churches built for us 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 masses here. On the other side are angry locals who dont want to lose their park. Far prettier than the tosh it is the Group Spokeswoman for 2 years shes been fighting to have the construction stopped or at least postponed. New shows or 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. The dear god i just i was punched in the head who gave me a black eye and broke my bra above both of those targeted because i filed a Police Report iris. Seems threats will kill you in the name of our faith looks like youre on. The other protesters were beaten up to but to date the police have stood idly by you like you know i want to ask you many of us were attacked and injured by s. S. Type thoughts yet nothing was done about it. Why dont you would russia were not going to. Meet with. The. Only thing. 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 said 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 at torfi onka park in their own way they demonstrate the growing power of the Russian Orthodox church. We meet members of the group. One of its leaders invited us to a church. In the basement there practicing martial arts. Beforehand they also pray here. A soft symphony of welcome. To the. Boy to come. Orci gnashers recently visited the city of seeing with her the play gets us to the booth what a fire can be seen as a mini flip National Solution eventually 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 franchise so lets go. For a start and keep moving. You know. What tells us that to defend their conservative faith they need to be physically fit. Single source articles and you considerate and it will be our emblem is up here that there is an orthodox knight who defends the Russian Church with a sword in a field a slight city thing for us long its there to get over it or push the lords of summer glove at the loss of the orthodoxy in our country are important to us were going to see all of the russian you are seeing. During the soviet era such emblems were forbidden. Now theyre being used to when the faithful respect the bush and those dives i should say so we have to protect our members in our cathedrals i think 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 would also make a report that says the sheriff or. Other people. Over time 40 times 40 have made themselves into sponsible for. Us 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 because they are after 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. The cathedral of christ the savior moscows largest cathedral is heavily guarded only invited guests are allowed to. Film us and this is the invitation. Its a preview needed to get in. November you can almost live with where i got it thats a secret she did for us he used to work his. Chum and his friends dont need an invitation. Around a dozen people from their group are in attendance. Officially theyre here as stewards and you were little you know for sure when you look what i remember through most of what i wrote i think. It was the cathedral is full of security personnel. The Church Service is being. Its live on television. The. Then Prime MinisterDmitri Medvedev has come to hear Patriarch Kirill sermon in person. The. Trochee. Presidency is a good omen. The. Culture of russia started here somewhere which 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 obviously star nation would the reference. That the 8 of us here to represent latin there puton who is attending a celebration in St Petersburg. Special. For us we christians like it that putin is an orthodox believer it shows that he supports the church and thats very valuable the most of which and so. In spite of their violent methods and his friends are welcome here. 40 times 40 enjoys the support of the church and likely that of the authorities to. At least thats the opinion of the demonstrators protesting against the construction of the church in moscows trophy on the park. The attacks against them were never investigated. And the touching afghanis have been targeted again and again. As i will bowl got a car the most needed stuff in the middle of the night we suddenly heard someone sawing at our door of the interview truck did not civil to you my husband opened it and 15 masked men stormed in and pointed their guns at us. The ban will be to the several special units were involved in searching our house including the secret service is this look at me it was weird to see us all they were all after us. You have any and 8 other activists each received unwelcome visitors who were accompanied by t. V. Crews. Clearly these home searches were meant to serve as warnings. But since you have any began receiving Death Threats over the internet he now fears for his life. I want to know when his will to come talk to you one guy from 40 times 40 wrote that hes digging a grave for me in the park and that he plans to bury me there. Who will share with us when i went to the police they said come back when youre dead well cut a little bit of each. But Death Threats are no laughing matter in russia. Journalists lawyers and politicians have all been victims of deadly attacks. Many still remember the assassination of opposition politician bar snaps off just steps from the kremlin themselves served as deputy Prime Minister of russia under boris yeltsin. He later criticized the corruption under Vladimir Putin and. The funeral procession from that soft turned into a protest march against putin. But the russian president denied any responsibility for the killing. Of 52 year old engineer wants to make sure the murder isnt forgotten. At the station i wrote a poem for an answer. In full. The public should be your reward for telling the truth that was getting hit with 4 bullets. Like soft hopes that post communist russia would develop into a democratic society. Hes never belonged to a Political Party included. But hes protesting against what he views as a politically motivated murder. There are people at the top contract their subordinates to murder opposition leaders. Of today were governed by terrorists. Once a week holds a night long. His daughter and son in law worry about. His book or no social come back safe and sound which turns genesis you say that many call us from the pay station to come get you the true you are no the Police Department world. Exactly and thats not the only danger yes. But even numerous arrests havent dissuaded. On this monday once again spent hours in the cold to keep the memory of one of lattimer putins most vocal critics alive. 50 kilometers to reach the site of the murder. Must for at city bridge near the kremlin. They as you recall how long have you been married just not much of cold for the news that its ok we were a bit late anyways. Together theyve created a modest memorial. Just one minute ago. To themself was murdered at 11 31 pm. The state. They observe a minute of silence and front of the walls of the kremlin. Heroic ill near it heroes you dont die. Give you only earth. A few passers by stopped to express their support he was killed because he was against. Against bolton its so well for very clear. And Everybody Knows who killed him. Except our judges. Thats a very sad story very sad story for our front 5 chechens acting as contract killers were jailed but theres been no investigation into who ordered the hit. Im not absolutely sure that time in save when i speak to you i. Want to start on the site is cleaned very often to drive would be protesters away. Ilya and his friends take turns guarding the memorial. 7 days a week around the clock. Time and again their vigil has been attacked by ultranationalist one of them struck down old us husband. The future. Was golems a man came up to evolve and you dont like putin you do. Look into all of this but you dont own sid why should i like him. But. Then the man hears him and ran off the child i. Live on was taken to the hospital where he died of heart failure. Since then his wife has attended the vigil on her own. Less than 3 years after numb soft assassination another opposition politician was prevented from taking part in the russian president ial elections. The protesters chanted down with putin. Alexei novelle name made a name for himself blogging against corruption he planned to challenge putin in the 2018 election but was barred from running due to a conviction for a legit embezzlement. Is convinced the kremlin leadership fears him. Her last. Words. Cut her out. At this rally was arrested and held for 8 hours authorities said the rally hadnt been approved. Supporters were furious and chanted russia without putin was caught up. In. Yes i was feeling like i said i was here for you because it is right our history. I cannot last that russia without. Knowing. That was there are. Down with the so. The lights out. I wasnt going to cover simone so i dont do those that show i guess i dont need to do today who has the newts are just so what else can you call someone whos been in power for almost 20 years. Thats not. To say that i russia has degenerated into nothing more than a futile country thats ruled with bayonets clubs and crossers. Yvonne is just 16 but hes not to vent his anger in front of the windows of the kremlin but hundreds of Police Officers are blocking the way. For your son fortunately putins one again today because there arent enough of us. During his 19 years in power glad amir putin has a limited his most dangerous opponents. His United Russia Party holds close to 3 quarters of the seats in the state duma. One of putins most faithful m. P. s is fatality malone and. Hes the architect of russias gay propaganda law which has cost many teachers their jobs. So it means that you cannot address just so too and then funds saying that. Thats sort of me southern me is a normal way of life thats what its absolutely assured by thats majority of russians so we put this tradition into legislation. The gay propaganda law was passed almost unanimously with just one abstention. And. The European Court of human rights has ruled that just criminal tory. Malone of comes from St Petersburg the former russian capital is also the person place of latin near putin. Long known as russias window to the west St Petersburg is home to many sexual minorities. But gay bars arent recognisable from the outside. They dont advertise or fly rainbow flags. In a modest apartment on the edge of the city lives a man who is waging his own personal war on homosexuals. Hes a jeweler by day. But at night he takes on the role of a criminal investigator he tracks down. Using the internet we relay what she didnt know what you know if i see teachers on a gay or lesbian website when i find out where they work and contact the interior ministry if you are not under their legal action is taken against them when you would have so sometimes they just quit on their own well to show up to more doesnt require much evidence one photo on the net is enough which it is a. Look at this music teacher. Or she pictured here with her girlfriend would be her clearly lesbian and peoples can see that she published all or photos and now shes been fired one of cimon one abroad to escape the pressure we are causing the news. To more claims hes caused 70 educators to be sacked so far. Due to his activities hes now barred from entering the u. S. And the e. U. Meanwhile in the ritzy area of moscow where barbara lives her family is looking forward to the school ball. Or mother has hired a hairdresser to make sure barbara shines in front of putins friends. Im very excited about. This program and. Yeah that is so i could remember and princes came to her promo. Cycle my child dreamed up. But whilst the revival of a czarist russia may be a dream for some for others its a complete nightmare. Grappling with such. Expressed feelings i am not very creative yet but i would love to be considered an artist one day looking for new perspectives real doors and not to be replaced but with the camera doing things differently. Come to the place where we reflect on society on 20. D. W. Each still tells my story. Of the people who planned to me guilty dedicated to me. I am not too dumb to playing. On the side of my name. In the centuries they built me they created something true. Too much as i must destroy. I have monta my cities gained for the same trees and accompanied my country. Until the day i mean lived on a. Not so dumb to leave stance and fall and. This is the debian user live from berlin as the corona virus continues to spread across the globe american President Donald Trump considers sealing off his countrys infection hot spots new york and parts of new jersey and connecticut meanwhile a rapid result test is approved in the country it could be delivered as soon as next week also coming up