K.P. Pobedonostsev on the nature of the national identity of Christian churches
Konstantin Pobedonostsev was an outstanding statesman, who had a great inﬂuence on the religious and cultural life of the pre-revolutionary Russian society. The article deals with some aspects of the worldview of the Chief Prosecutor of the Holy Synod, in relation to his understanding of the nature of the Church as a social institution. Historicism and irrationalism of Pobedonostsev’s views are reﬂected in the concept of the “national Church” as a result of the historical development of the “national spirit”. An important role in the formation of this concept was played by the aesthetic and emotional experience acquired by him at the time of his presence at services in various Christian churches around Europe (Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant). Considering the Church as an integral part of national tradition and as a living organism, Pobedonostsev viewed any attempts of reforming church life as extremely dangerous, destroying any forms of national religiosity. The concept of the “national Church” also led Pobedonostsev to his conviction in the inability of the ecumenical reunion of Christian confessions, which were spread to live “in national apartments” and informed the liturgical and ritual practice with the historical experience and ethnic identity of their peoples. Another impor tant belief of Pobedonostsev, related to his vision of the nature of the Church, is the idea of an inextricable link between the religious, national and civil identity of the Russian people. It was this idea that served as the basis for the intense anti-sectarian and anti-scismatic activities car r ied out by the Sy nod u nder the leadership of Pobedonostsev.