The Russian Orthodox Church and state see their country as engaged in a military and spiritual struggle with the West. Militarily, Russian leaders decry the expansion of NATO and the perceived threat of the West. Spiritually, Russian leadership sees the proliferation of Western liberal values as a threat to Russia’s cultural and spiritual heritage. In response to these threats, the Russian Church and state work together to promote the ideology of Orthodox Conservatism. Orthodox Conservatism asserts that Russia occupies a special place in the world, separate from the West, as a protector of traditional Christian values. To promote this ideology, the Russian state helps the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) to extend its influence throughout Russian society. Two contemporary church-building projects exemplify this dynamic. First, the Main Church of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation is a monolithic temple that is now the official church of the Russian army. This church adds a spiritual imperative to the defense of the Russian nation. Second, the 200 Temples project intends to build 200 new churches in Moscow, 96 of which have already been built. This project aims to reinforce traditional Orthodox family values at the grass roots level in Russia’s capital. Combined, both projects promote a “militarized masculinity” that emphasizes a man’s patriarchal, moral duty to protect family and country.