Russian Priest Hails The Simpsons for Exemplifying Strong Family Values Amid Criticism of Russian Media

A Russian Orthodox priest has commended the enduring American animated series «The Simpsons» for its emphasis on traditional family values, while criticizing Russia’s film and television sector for its inability to depict similarly robust family units.

“For forty years, across 36 seasons and 790 episodes, ‘The Simpsons’ has showcased a loving, resilient family with three children,” stated Father Yevgeny, the leader of the Yekaterinburg diocese, as reported by local media.

“Russia, which is experiencing a decline, has not produced anything of the sort,” he remarked on Friday at a women’s forum in Yekaterinburg.

Father Yevgeny’s comments represent a rare expression of approval for a Western cultural product in an increasingly isolationist and socially conservative Russia, a country that often accuses the U.S. and its allies of fostering a «destructive neoliberal ideology.»

He compared the characters from «The Simpsons,» the longest-running scripted show in American television history, with those from Russian children’s programs such as «Smeshariki» and «Masha and the Bear.»

“They are depicted as solitary and content, but that isn’t reflective of real life,” he said, referring to the Russian animated characters. “Our cartoons, despite their merits and educational value, have failed to present a compelling image of a mature and joyful family.”