Abstract: The subject of this research is the concept of schism of A. P. Shchapov, as well historiosophical constructs of F. M. Dostoevsky that revolve around comprehension of the problem of schism and its role in the historical process. The goal of this article lies in determination of the impact of democratic concept of schism presented in the works of A. P. Shchapov “Russian Schism of Old Believers”, “The Land and the Schism”, “Land and Schism. The Runners” upon the formation of historiosophical views of Dostoyevsky and peculiarities of his understanding of the phenomenon of schism. The use of systemic approach allows examining the phenomenon of schism as a central element of historiosophy of Dostoevsky in relation to socioeconomic concept of Shchapov, which laid the foundation for the populist trend in historiography of the schism and associated with the history of development of democratic thought in Russia. The scientific novelty is defined by comprehensive approach towards description of the topic of schism as a core element of Dostoevsky’s historiosophy that considers its dependence on the historical and sociopolitical factors. It is underlined that writer’s perception of schism as a protest movement and people’s discontent as a driving force of the history was formed under the influence of Shchapov’s concept on the political nature of schism, which sparked public outcry. Leaning on the democratic concept of history and overcoming the limitation of building a liberal camp, Dostoevsky creates an original model of Russia’s development based on reunification of high society with the people. In the center of this concept is the understanding of schism as a progressive phenomenon that reflects the awakening of public consciousness and cognitive activity, which retained communal structure that according to Dostoevsky is capable of becoming a foundation for a new form of public order.

Abstract: The subject of this research is the themes of F. M. Dostoevsky’s writings on Khlystovshchina (Christ Faith), as well as his views on this sect. The object of this research is the articles “A Writer’s Diary”, novel “The Idiot”, draft notes to the poem “The Life of a Great Sinner”, main idea of the novel “Atheism”, as well as articles in the periodicals of the 1860’s dedicated to Khlystov heresy. The goal of this work consist in determination of the writer’s opinion on Khlystov heresy in the contexts of the ideology of pochvennichestvo (return to the native soil). Using the philological and historical methods, the author describes correlation of the core ideas of Dostoevsky’s writings with the history of non-Orthodox religious movements in Russia if the XIX century. The article generalizes the experience of studying the theme of Khlystovshchina in Dostoevsky’s works, and persuasively argues that Dostoevsky’s perception of the phenomenon of Khlystovshchina is justified by his ideology of pochvennichestvo, which defines the scientific novelty of this research. It is concluded that the writer’s interests to the sect is explained by the fact that he saw a unique, soil phenomenon that represents man’s cognitive activity. The research underlines that the pursued by Dostoyevsky parallel between the doctrine of the Lord Radstock and Stundism (alien to a Russian person due to protestant origin), Tatarinova Society, and Khlystovshchina reflects a profound idea of the writer on spiritual crisis emerged due to disintegration of intelligentsia and people.