Problems of Russian nationalism in papers and sermons of metropolitan Anthony (Khrapovitsky)

The paper for the first time takes a close look at the attitude of the prominent figure of the Russian Orthodox Church, well-known theologian, Metropolitan (formerly Bishop and Archbishop) Anthony (Khrapovitsky) to the ideology and practice of Russian nationalism in the early 20th century. Special attention is given to the orthodox and conservative criticism of “tribal”, “pagan”, “zoological” nationalism, Metropolitan's attitude to the “Russian question”, anti-Semitism and cosmopolitism. Having accepted the classical Slavophilism as a flow of national thoughts compatible with church worldview, Metropolitan repudiated neoslavism and a western model of nationalism as an ideology opposed to the Orthodox teachings. Being anything but an opponent of Russian nationalism per se (more exactly, the need to strengthen the Russian national self-awareness and protection of Russian interests in the Russian Empire), Metropolitan Anthony, as an adherent of conservative political opinions, was ready to cooperate with Russian nationalists as well. However, he used to criticise them in his homiletics, trying to dissuade Russian nationalists from copying the ideology and practice of West European nationalism and reviling against such reckless phenomena as racism, radical anti-Semitism, xenophobia, secularism, and national egotism. Anthony (Khrapovitsky) made efforts to guide Russian nationalism to the church and patriotism to harness it to the betterment of the messianic idea - preservation and protection of Orthodox faith purity and the Orthodox nature of Russian statehood. The study is based on papers, speeches and sermons of Anthony (Khrapovitsky) published in pre-revolutionary church and secular periodicals. Some of these works have never been instrocuded to the academic discussion before.

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