Russia, between orthodox tradition and the Soviet revolution

Abstract

In this article the authors review the great stages of Russian history that has gone through different historic moments, represented by Kiev, Moscow, and Saint Petersburg, in a long process in which it has been shown that Russian identity oscillates between westernisation and Slavic assertion. Besides, this dynamic became clear after the Napoleonic invasion (1812) and the Crimean War (1854-56), which led to Russian defeat and a bolstering of its idiosyncrasy, whereby the role of orthodox religion and literature was promoted which gave rise to a spiritual revival (Soloviov, Berdiàiev). All in all, the revolution that broke out in 1917 brought about the irruption of a new cultural and pedagogical vision that was subject to the Soviet principles that limited the capacity for action of such a figure of reference as was Anatoli Lunatxarski, the People’s Commissar of Public Instruction. Meanwhile, the current situation of Russia is illustrated through this historic phenomenology in which orthodox religion, messianic spirituality, and nationalism make up a mental universe that consolidates the projection of Pan-Slavism in Eastern Europe.

Key words: Russia, orthodox church, spiritualism, Pan-Slavism, Soviet revolution, Lunatxarski.