Questions of the Religion and the Church in the Russian legislation of the second half of the 1720’s till early 1740’s

Abstract

Cultural policy of the second quarter of the 18^th century was a continuation of the cultural policy of Peter the Great in many respects. Nevertheless, the secularization of culture made by Peter and the liquidation of the church’s autonomy didn’t mean abandoning the church’s institution and the religion as an ideology. Russian Orthodoxy occupied a significant place in the spiritual and cultural life of Russian society, what was reflected in the legislation of the second half of 1720’s till early 1740’s.It can be said that traditionally the issues of the religion and the church occupied one of the leading places in the cultural policy. They were the subject of close attention of legislators in the second quarter of the 18^th century. Throughout the period under investigation, the program aimed at protecting the Orthodox faith was implemented quite consistently, regardless of the personality of the ruler, the external and internal political conjuncture. Despite the removal of the church from the culture leadership, it remained the most important state institution, and religion - the spiritual and ideological basis of government policy. The government encouraged the adoption of Orthodoxy, granted benefits to the new-christened people, followed the observance of religious traditions, built churches, supported, including financially,the relationship with the Greek Orthodox Church of Constantinople, the most authoritative church in the Orthodox world. The violation of the canons was punishable morally, physically and financially.The legislation of the second quarter of the 18^th century gives eloquent evidence of the special spiritual and cultural significance of religion in the life of Russian society