11/07/2025 15:15
- 17:30
HALL: Erika Weinzierl Hall
Proponent:
Baron G.B.,
Di Cosmo A.P.,
Rajola Pescarini A.
Chair:
Baron G.B.,
Di Cosmo A.P.,
Rajola Pescarini A.
Speaker:
Baron G.B.,
Di Cosmo A.P.,
Khroul V.,
Masucci M.
The religious history of the Russian-speaking world has been deeply influenced by the interplay between Orthodox Christianity, Catholicism, Islam, and other religious traditions, shaped by the political power of the Russian Empire and the Soviet state. From the 16th century to today, these religious dynamics have been central not only to Russian identity, politics, and culture, but also to those of neighbouring countries.
The Russian Empire sought to strengthen Orthodoxy as the dominant religion, using it to unify its diverse territories. While the state promoted Orthodoxy, other religions like Islam and Judaism were managed, and Catholicism, seen as a foreign influence, was marginalized. Recent studies highlight how the state used Orthodoxy for political control, both within Russia and across its empire.
The Soviet period saw the imposition of state atheism, and religion suffered severe repression. Despite persecution, the Church and the Muslim Spiritual Board(s) - the heir of the imperial administration of Islamic religion - adapted, often cooperating with the state, while other religious currents survived in hiding or in the domestic sphere.
Following the collapse of the USSR in 1991, religions experienced a revival, closely aligning with the new post-Soviet state policies. This revival, marking religions as symbols of national histories, identities and cultures, has been a focus of recent academic work. Although Orthodoxy and Islam remain dominant, new religious movements are emerging, contributing to the growing religious pluralism of both Russia and the territories where Russian language is still in use, such as Central Asia.
This panel aims to discuss cases representing the typical religious experience of the Russian-speaking world, i.e. the territories that after the domination of the Russian empire and/or the Soviet union have a Russian-speaking population.