Institutional and intellectual aspects of secularization in Russia

Abstract

Specific character of secularization process in Russia is considered. Its two main stages are characterized: the first one being Peter I stage that was the secularization of the authorities, the second one was the Soviet stage. At the latter stage two main objectives were pursued. The first one was to oust the religion into the private sphere, and the second - to eliminate the Church completely as social institute. The author shows that repressive character of the Soviet secularization was not caused by some casual mistakes or "excesses", but were purposeful and planned.