Orthodox clergy

Apologia and Criticism of Russian Nationalism in the Journalistic Writings by Bishop Andrey (Ukhtomsky)

Using the views of bishop Andrey ( Ukhtomsky) as an example, the article discusses an understudied problem of the attitude of Russian Orthodox priests to the theory and practice of Russian nationalism of the late 19th — early 20th centuries. The authors analyze the bishop’s views on national empowerment, political nationalism and the issue of the non-Russians (inorodtsy). It is demonstrated how bishop Andrey’s Slavophil views shaped his Russian nationalism.

«Can a Christian Be a Socialist?» The (Ir)reconcilability of Christianity and Socialism in Revolutionary Russia

The article investigates debates about the (ir)reconcilability of Christianity and socialism among Orthodox clergy and intelligentsia in late Imperial Russia. The first part of the paper focuses on anti‑socialist texts by radical right Orthodox clergy who argued for the impossibility to reconcile Christianity and socialism, and interpreted them as rigid categories. The second part of the paper discusses various intellectual experiments by left‑wing Orthodox clergy and by Marxist intelligentsia who looked at Christianity and socialism as fluid ideas under contestation.

Repressions, Economic Pressure and Survival Strategies of the Orthodox Clergy in Kazan Diocese in the 1930s

The article explores the conditions of life and activities of Orthodox clergy of the Kazan diocese, primarily in the city of Kazan and some Kazan suburbs, in the 1930s. Drawing upon published and archival sources, various forms of state pressure on the clergy are illustrated: «labor duties», identifying the lishentsy (disenfranchised citizens) by Komsomol «activists», raising tax pressure; and all other instruments with the main goal of eliminating the impact of Church institutions in society.