Structural and functional analysis of the Orthodox community as a traditional society in modern conditions

The article provides a socio-philosophical analysis of the Orthodox religious community as a traditional society in modern conditions. At present, Russian society is a complex structured system represented by various groups of traditional, religious, industrial and post-industrial culture. Religious structures of the Russian Orthodox Church, represented legally most often as Local Religious Organization Orthodox Parish of the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate), are quite widespread. The aim of the study was to analyze and comprehend the functions of the structural components of this society laid down in its Charter. In the study of the social system of the parish community the structural-functional approach of R. Merton and Jungian understanding of archetype as a behavioral model are applied. The following structural actors of the parish community are identified: church, clergy, parishioners, Sunday school, almshouse, brotherhood, cemetery, parish hospital and similar parish organizations. Each structural element of the parish is characterized by its own functionality. The described functions of the structural components of the society under study are grouped according to the main criteria that reflect the goals and objectives of the existence of this society, such as moral and ethical, religious and attitudinal, cultural and educational, socio-political and system-forming. The analysis of the main models of behavior of parish actors revealed some contradictions in the structural relations of the community, which will allow further study of this phenomenon to determine the ways of its development and transformation. The growing interest in religious communities with their inherent deep historical and social prerequisites has been noted. The format of the modern Orthodox community is unattractive, as it has shortcomings in the management structure, leading to the formalization of various spheres of activity. The consequence is the transformation of religious functions and the absence of horizontal social ties.