Historical Mythology, Nationality and Orthodoxy in Count Uvarov’s Conception (To the Problem Development)
In the article the author analyses certain conception theses of Count S.S. Uvarov, one of the prominent Russian conservatives in the first half of the 19th century. His views in spite of their conservative presentation are considered to be Europe oriented, modernistic and progressive. According to the author, S.S. Uvarov kept on the tradition of Russian political ideas of the 18th century that was related to the artificial creation of the historical mythology. The author demonstrated the strong influence of Polish thinkers on this tradition via Malorossia (Little Rus') and Malorussians (Little Russians). To specify the term "nationality” in Uvarov's triad, the author for the first time in historical science uses in this article the broad data array regarding some specific Church traditions that are sometimes viewed as relics of the pagan era. The author points out that the state authorities in Uvarov's time did not oppose those traditions. On the basis of the archival documents for the first time used in scientific research, the author shows that in spite of the officially proclaimed commitment to Orthodoxy, the Orthodox Church in Uvarov's time was subjected to strict rationalistic regulation when disclosing information on the miracles, even well-proven, was practically forbidden. The clergy was gradually turned into low-level state officials depending strongly on the wheels of state.