Religion and Religiosity in Russia
| DOI | 10.1177/0020881717753860 |
| Author | Archana Upadhyay |
| Date | 01 July 2016 |
| Published date | 01 July 2016 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
Religion and Religiosity in
Russia: An Overview
Archana Upadhyay1
Abstract
The collapse of the USSR marked the end of the multiethnic ‘Soviet Nation’.
Consequent to the moving out of the republics from the federation, Russia and
Russians faced the challenge of defining their own identity and that of a new, mul-
tinational, multi-confessional state—the Russian Federation. Towards this end of
regenerating identity, religion proved to be a very potent instrument. Religion
and religiosity in Russia is closely interconnected with ethnic self-awareness and
consolidation of political identities that go beyond religion. It has been employed
to foster both inclusive and exclusive identities and have also impacted crucial
decisions of the state. Its social and political role is profound and so is its engage-
ment with the institutions of the state. It is significant that both the institutional
and ideological aspects of religion have emerged as distinct factors in contem-
porary Russian politics. The re-emergence and the consolidation of the Russian
Orthodox Church (ROC) in the social and political life of contemporary Russia
has submerged smaller religious identities in all spheres of social and political life.
Given Russia’s religious diversity, this has impacted intergroup relations and gen-
erated tensions in the society, resulting from both the ‘politicization of religion’
and the ‘desecularization’ project from above.
Keywords
Russia, Soviet, religion, religiosity, Russian Orthodox Church, spiritual security
Introduction
As a classical topic in the field of social sciences, religion has been viewed
throughout history as a major integrating force in society. Its significant role in the
political domain as a means of legitimization and consolidation of power is also
Article
International Studies
53(3–4) 195–209
2018 Jawaharlal Nehru University
SAGE Publications
sagepub.in/home.nav
DOI: 10.1177/0020881717753860
http://journals.sagepub.com/home/isq
1 Centre for Russian and Central Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru
University, New Delhi, India.
Corresponding author:
Archana Upadhyay, Centre for Russian and Central Asian Studies, School of International Studies,
Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi–110 067.
E-mail: archanaupadhyay@yahoo.com
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