Contemporary Russian society living through a period of transformation, is in strong need of forming new moral orientations, morality criteria, ethical values. Traditionally regarding the Church as spiritual preceptor, it relies on the Church’s help in this sphere. The article summarized here tackles to clear up the extent to which the Church is able and prepared to perform this social order. Discussing the positions of the Church in regard to the state and society, the author presents detailed analysis of the social doctrine of the Russian Orthodox Church, adopted at the Church Council in 2000. He comes to the conclusion that although many of the Church’s views do not meet today’s demands of society, on the whole the Church is open to dialogue.