Abstract: The article examines the specifics of the church's participation in socio-political life in the context of historical and institutional approaches. The main purpose of the article is to argue that church is not only a social, but also a socio-political institution. It is emphasized that church, being a spiritual institution, has a significant impact on the development of legislative initiatives, moral values of society and political processes, as well as represents a moral authority for the faithful flock, while supporting or opposing certain decisions. Various types of interactions between state and church are highlighted, leading to controversial interpretations of understanding the status of the latter in socio-political processes. It is argued that in allied cooperation, the joint activities of state and church have the most significant impact on the spheres of public life. The novelty of the article lies in expanding the understanding of the church's status as a socio-political institution: it examines not only its traditional roles but also new forms of interaction with the state and society amid changing political transformations. Special attention is paid to analyzing the mechanisms through which the church adapts to new challenges, its participation in shaping the international agenda, and its influence on value systems in the era of transformations. It is noted that the church, as a socio-political institution, continues to actively engage in political activities, defending its interests and values. It is asserted that the Christian church, facing new challenges, remains an important actor in contemporary international processes. The issue of the politicization of the church remains open and requires further study, as it is determined by both subjective and objective factors.

Keywords: interaction, socio-political institution, state-church relations, socio-political life, flock, globalization, electorate, politics, state, church

Abstract: The subject of the study is the relationship between religiosity and political preferences of the voter; the object is actual statistical and scientific research on the problems of electoral behavior in Russia, Eastern Europe and the United States of America. The article summarizes the most popular research approaches in the study of the influence of religion on politics, the author presents a brief summary of the materials of influential scientific papers, on the basis of which he makes his own conclusions. The article presents a comparative analysis of domestic and foreign experience in the study of the relationship between religion and politics. The author notes that foreign studies in this area have a more extensive database, thanks to a long study of the problem of the relationship between religiosity and political preferences. Nevertheless, Russian researchers also continue to develop this topic and emphasize the increasing role of the religious factor in the politics of the modern Russian Federation. The results obtained by the author are achieved through the use of the methodology of review and critical analysis of statistical research and scientific literature. It is concluded that religiosity and political preferences in the United States and European countries have an impact on the final electoral field. In Russia, scientists recognize the insignificant influence of the religious factor on the general trends of political behavior. Nevertheless, among the believers of Russia, the connection between their religiosity and preferences exists and differs depending on the degree of this very religiosity. It is important to note that the use of data from polling stations and in-depth interviewing in the Russian reality can significantly distort the databases of sociological data. These features of the Russian research field create understandable limitations that are often ignored by researchers, and therefore the data are incomplete. In the conclusion of the article, the author notes the possibility of interaction of religiosity and political preferences through the construct above them.

Keywords: absenteeism, political studies, Russian Orthodox Church, electoral behavior, political choice, USA, Russia, political preferences, religiosity, religious factor

Abstract: The subject of the study is the peculiarities of the interaction of politics and religion in modern Russian society. The object of the study is the socio-political life of modern society, religion and politics. The author managed to analyze Internet sites on the issue of autocephaly of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. In his arguments and conclusions, the author relies on the opinions of leading scientists, statistical data of Rosstat and official reports of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation. The purpose of the study is to identify the main forms, mechanisms, and features of interaction between politics and religion. To study the issues of interaction between politics and religion, the method of system analysis was used, which allowed to study the main directions and forms of activity of religion in the political sphere; The author managed to highlight the peculiarities of the interaction of politics and religion. Scope of application of the research results: the data can be used in the work of state authorities and local self-government, as well as the information will be useful to a wide range of readers interested in religion and politics. Novelty - the key principles and functions of interaction between politics and religion are revealed.

Keywords: The Russian Orthodox Church, split, extremism, interaction, actors, russian society, religion, politics, law, features

Abstract: The subject of this research is the representations on the scope and content of the systems of Evangelical theological education recorded in the current Russian legislation, as well as the establishment of religious organizations of Evangelical denomination. In Russia, the theological education is simultaneously regulated by the two Federal Laws – “On Education” and “On the Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations”. Dual subordination stipulates the emergence of the conflict of laws, as well as defines the specific vector of development of the sphere itself and the state-confessional relations. The expansion of participation of the religious organizations representatives in the area of higher education, as well as the consolidation of the specialty “Theology” in the national educational standards, determines the relevance of the active examination of this problematic. The scientific novelty lies in the fact that for the first time the Russian legislative norms regarding the regulation of theological education, including preparation of minister and religious personnel, undergo systemic analysis, considering the position, interests and practice of the representatives of educational organizations institutionalized by the Evangelical churches. The author demonstrates such aspects of law enforcement practice that reflect the positive aspects of state norms, as well as those, in which the Evangelical believers prefer using the precepts of religious organizations, and avoid the secular norms and rules when possible.

Keywords: religious policy, educational policy, higher education, Russian legislation, educational standards, religious education, theological education, educational law, freedom of conscience, evangelical churches

Abstract: This article demonstrates the factors of the advancement of religiosity in radical forms among the youth in outskirts of large French cities, as well as the impact of this process upon the development of education system in the country. The author minutely analyzes the issues experienced by the teachers in secular schools and colleges under the conditions of actual penetration of the religious questions and dogmas into educational process. The article also presents the possible ways out of the crisis of national and religious identity that has developed in France.  This work is prepared based on the contemporary French literature and primarily the recently released book “Director of College or Imam of the Republic”, which rapidly gained popularity in France. The scientific novelty consists in the fact that the text provides an “inward glance” upon the problems of the French secondary education. Considering the popularity of religious organizations among youth worldwide, the presented in the article solutions to the problem carry universal character and are suitable not only for the Fifth Republic.

Keywords: Identity, French Fifth Republic, Secular, Islam, Religion, Education, France, Crisis, Radicalization, Educational process

Abstract: The subject of this research is the doctrinal position of Vatican pertinent to the question of preference of the various political regimes, forms of government, and mechanisms of exercising of power. The object is the Catholic political doctrine during the pontificate period of John XXIII in the context of the proclaimed by him policy of renewal of the Church and its place in the world – “aggiornamento”. Particular attention is given to the criticism of approach of the number of foreign authors aimed at presenting of the current political doctrine of Catholicism as the denial of previous teaching and return to liberalism. The author believes that the reason why some scholars consider the renewal of principles of the existence of Church in the world as a liberal return lies in the erroneous attempt of identifying democracy as the political regime and liberalism as the political ideology. John XXIII, noticing in democratic institutions the possibility of the Church to constrain and limit the government, nevertheless adheres to the reasonably traditional conservative ideology.

Keywords: Second Vatican Council, liberalism, democracy, Pope, John XXIII, Vatican, Catholic political doctrine, globalism, aggiornamento, political ideology

Abstract:   The subject of this article is the role of the institution of Russian Orthodox Church in evolution of the institutional design of public policy in Russian in the late 1990’s – 2017. The object is the goals and tasks of the state and Orthodox Church in the course of implementation of the statist modernization in the country. The attention is given to the key stages of statist modernization in Russia, evolution of the position of the Russian Orthodox Church in the civil society structure and national public policy. The authors analyze the establishment of sustainable subject-object relations within the framework of institutionalization of cooperation of state and civil society in the Russian Federation. Results of the work can be valuable in activity of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation in organization of the communicative interaction with the authorities. This allowed focusing attention on the functional specificities of involvement of the Russian Orthodox Church in the current Russian political processes, as well as structural peculiarities of the institutional design of the national public policy. Scientific novelty lies in substantiation of role of the Russian Orthodox Church in realization of the present stage of Russian political modernization. The authors conclude that there is a need for the inclusive dialogue between various religious confessions; institutionalization of the structures of civil control for determining the value-ideological vector of Russia’s modernization. The relationship between the state and religious structures, including the Russian Orthodox Church, must be structured on the basis of all-round control over the form, content, and quality of spirituality that in the modern secular Russian state must not be based on the monopoly of the transcendental.  

Keywords: political ideology, political modernization, political values, civil society, Russian Orthodox Church, institutional design, public diplomacy, statist modernization model, political institutions, state

Abstract: Rapid modernization of Kazakhstan’s society at the brink of the XX – XXI centuries became the cause for the unique “religious renaissance”. However, the spiritual revival highlighted the issues, which have never been faced before. The article examines the peculiarities of religious revival in the Republic of Kazakhstan over the period of 1990’s – 2000’s. An attempt is made to analyze the reasons of large-scale desecularization, unprecedented growth of the supporters of one or another confessions (including the new religious movements), as well as identify the challenges of statehood in this regards. Attention is also given to the question of impact of the government executive authorities upon confessions in the context of the declared separation from of church from the state, as well as the implemented measures by the authorities pertaining to the establishment of the system of state-confessional relations under the conditions of dynamic expansion of religiosity of population and broad polycultural field.

Keywords: faith, religious conflicts, religious denominations, state-confessional relations, tolerance, revival of religiosity, desecularization, Kazakhstan, interconfessional relationship, interreligious dialogue

Abstract: This article is first to introduce the archive and document sources, leaning on which examines the Russian missionary policy and determines its role in sociogenesis of the North Caucasus region of the XIX century. Special attention is focused on the activity of Orthodox and Catholic missions in the context of ideological policy realized by the Russian state. It is proven that unlike the other Russian regions, the main objects of missionary work in North Caucasus were not the representatives of Islam, but rather Jews and pagans, dissidents and schismatics.  The conclusion is made that the North Caucasus missionary has gone a long path in its evolution. Its establishment was affected by the external and domestic determinants, and namely the policy of the Russian Empire. Spiritual pastors objectively played an important role not only in spread of the faith, but also consolidation of the national peripheries, activation of state authority in addressing the exigent cultural-educational and socio-economic challenges.

Keywords: Catholic propagandists, socio-cultural life, mountain peoples, political history, Christian mission, missionary organizations, North Caucasus, Russian Empire, pastors, educational policy

Abstract: This article examines the peculiarities of the phenomenon of the Russian Neopaganism in the Russian media during the period of 2001-2014. The authors analyze the questions associated with the manner of presentation of information on the aforementioned phenomenon by the journalists, the level  of objectivity and trustworthiness of this information, specificity of the sources used by the journalists, as well as the major information reasons provoking the emergence of the articles on Neopaganism and the possibility of determination of the targeted information campaigns regarding its discredit or propaganda. However, the main question is the possibility and purposefulness of using the media publications by the scholars as the source of empirical material on the Russian Neopaganism. The acquired data allows making the following conclusions: although at the present stage the Russian Neopaganism does not represent the subject of peculiar attention of the Russian media, we can observe a certain trend in the growth of the number of publications on this matter; the image of the Russian Neopaganism formed in the Russian media carries mostly negative character; the cause for the formation of such image lies in the insufficient research of the material by journalists, as well as lack of religious studies training, and the “diffusion” of the notion of “Neopaganism” itself. Based on the above, it seems impossible to recognize the examined type of sources relevant to the research tasks.

Keywords: religious studies, mass media, Russian press, content analysis, Native faith, Russian Neopaganism, pseudopaganism, quasipaganism, Neo-Nazism, Russian nationalism

Abstract: The subject of this research is the parameters of radicalization of political Islam in Dagestan. The actors, institutions, and new manifestations of radicalization of political Islam in Dagestan during the period of 2007-2016 are being revealed. Special attention is given to the correlation and manifestations of the factors of radicalization of Islam: the level of economic development and quality of life, social differentiation, birth rate, and migration. Based on the analysis of the surveys, the author underlines the indication of the low level of trust to the government authorities, as well as consolidation of Islamic identity. The author explores the dynamics in the level and forms of terrorism, as well as suggests recommendations in the area of counterterrorist policy. The constructivist paradigm of religiousness was being applied in this work, which allowed revealing purposefulness and discursive concept of the established Islamic identity by the elites.  The author determines the group of actors of radicalization of political Islam in Dagestan: regional ruling elites, traditional clergy, Sufi religious brotherhood, Salafi communities, and transnational terroristic organizations. During the course of this research, primarily the network type of institutionalization of political Islam was being detected. The author determines the new manifestations of radicalization of political Islam during the period of 2007-2016: transnationalism of terrorist groups, dissociation of the moderate and radical Salafi movements, as well as growing influence of the Hizb ut-Tahrir terrorist organization.

Keywords: counterterrorism, causes, terrorism, factors, new manifestations, institutions, subjects, Dagestan, radicalization, political Islam

Abstract:   The subject of the research is the conceptual framework and the essential content of Catholic social doctrine as a factor of political influence in the world. Particular attention is paid to the periodization of the doctrine's stages of development, the importance of the doctrine in conditions of apparent increase of the influence of religious factors on the political processes in the world. On the background of global political, economic and social change throughout the world, it becomes obvious that the religious factor plays a key role in trying to determine the cause of succesfull building of democratic countries in some parts of the world, and the inability to establish basic institutions of public authority in another. Catholic church, with the largest number of adherents in the world is certainly a factor that significantly influenced the modern political map of the world. The novelty of the research consists in a number of fundamentally new approaches offered by the author. In particular, the author introduces the concept of periodization of the development of Catholic social teaching that is different from the traditionally accepted in the Western scientific community.

Keywords: French Revolution, Social doctrine, Christianity, Rerum Novarum, Catholic Church, Encyclical, Second Vatican Council, Politics, Religion, Catholic social doctrine

Abstract: The purpose of this article is to analyze the role of Kazakhstan in the most dominant international organizations with the workflow based on confessional and ethnic unity of Turkic countriesThese organizations are becoming significant on the international arena in terms of the new global geopolitical realities and the pace of regional development. Prospects of development of the Islamic integrative vector in Kazakhstan are examined in the context of the prospects of its influence on the Russian-Kazakh relations. The novelty of research lies in the consideration of Kazakhstan and Turkey as a new alternative of the integration center of the Eurasian region. The main finding of the study is the set of arguments in favor of considering not only pragmatic economic factors, but also cultural and civilizational, and religious issues while creating the model of Russian-Kazakh relations.

Keywords: pragmatic economic factors, regional development, international organizations, Islamic factor, Kazakhstan-Turkey relations, Russia-Kazakhstan relations, cultural aspect, integration, identity, external factor

Abstract: The subject of this article is the doctrinal and sociopolitical views of the Pope Francis, as well as the modern policy of the Catholic Church demonstrated through the prism of the persona of the Pope. The authors conduct the analysis of the main stages of Papal duties on the various hierarchical posts of the Catholic Church in Argentina. The question of how the historical events and historical figures affected the positions of the Pope as a prelate of the Catholic Church is being examined. Special attention is given to the position of the Catholic Church within the modern society, and illustrated the expectations which accompanied the election of the Cardinal Bergoglio for the Papal post, as well as how he met these expectations. An assessment is given to the first year of the pontificate of the Pope. The authors are first to introduce into the scientific circulation a number of official documents of the Catholic Church of the first year of the pontificate of Pope Francis, as well as the texts of his sermon, speeches, and interviews; it is also considered the first attempt to give a comprehensive analysis of this event in the Russian publishing. The conclusion is made about the reasonable conservatism of the Pope and the stabilizing role of the Catholic Church in the modern society.  

Keywords: Culture, Culture, Politics, Tendencies, Church, Persona, State, Society, Religion, Reforms

Abstract: The relevance of this topic is substantiated by the peculiarities of politicization of the Islamic factor in the modern world, and higher threat of the religious and political extremism and terrorism. This article is dedicated to the analysis of religion, as well as its effect upon the social, political, and spiritual life of society. The subject of this research is the possible developments in Islam justified by political processes. The object of this research is the Northern Caucasus. The author gives a detailed review to such aspects as religious schism within Islam and emergence of various new directions, as well as reformation attempt to renew and revive Islam through the mechanisms and ideals of political power. A special attention is given to the conservative Islam, driven to the temptations of political authoritarianism, and liberal-modernist Islamism realized in the political conformity. The possible politicization of Islam can result in the rebirth of spiritual values for the good of the community, or can equally disrupt the harmonious development that can bring violence and terror. The biggest threat to the modern world order is the radical-extremist Islamism, exposing its destructive nature, which has nothing in common with actual Islam. The novelty and conclusions of this research are substantiated by the search for ways and mechanisms of socio-political actualization of the reformation prospects of the liberal-modernist vector of Islam as the one that is closest to the global, civilizational trends of development of the modern world order. The authors conclude that in the modern world, terrorism as a destructive trend of politicizes theocracy undermines the humanistic essence of any religion, including Islam.

Keywords: multiculturalism, transformation, globalization, terrorism, extremism, politicization, radical Islamism, conservative Islamism, tolerance, spiritual values

Abstract: This work analyzes the public policy in the post-Soviet Buryatia in the sphere of religion. Focusing on the cooperation of the Russian Orthodox Church and the government, the author examines how the notions of “Russian” and “Orthodox” fuse into one on the level of public policy. The focus is made on the processes that allow the Russian Orthodox Church to directly affect the political decisions on behalf of a large ethnic group. The author researches how the Orthodoxy – in the process of active transformation of the confessional field of the republic after the collapse of the USSR – received the status of traditional religion. The new institutional approach allowed studying the normative system of unification of Russian and Orthodox population of Buryatia within the framework of public policy. The author concludes that in the end, this phenomenon reflected in a system of norms that shifted between formal and informal scheme. In any of the cases throughout the entire post-Soviet period this normative system defined the public policy in the sphere of religion. The gradual inclusion of the Russian Orthodox Church into the political process served as a cause for granting this religious organization the status of an independent social organization, which represents the interests of the Russian population of this region.  

Keywords: Russian Orthodox Church, representation, new institutionalism, institution, Russian, Orthodoxy, public policy, post-Soviet, Buryatia, traditional religion

Abstract: The object of the research is the process of socialisation of modern Russian youth. The subject of the research are the peculiar features of how the traditional religious denominations of Russia (Orthodoxy, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, as well as the Roman Catholic Church and the Union of evangelical Christians-Baptists of Russia) conduct the denominational social youth policy as an activity aimed at socialisation, spiritual and moral education and social development of modern Russian youth. The relevance of this topic is determined by the fact that during the crisis of the basic institutions of socialisation of modern Russian youth (the institution of family, state, media, labour, and other institutions), the institution of religion is, perhaps, the only socialisation institution that, compared to other socialisation institutions, still, and even more actively, fulfils its functions. The article analyses the peculiarities of the performance of denominational social youth policy by the above mentioned religious denominations traditional in Russia. The article gradually considers issues connected with: theoretical understanding of the youth policy by these religious denominations and organisations; establishment of a system of bodies aimed at youth outreach; functioning of the system of religious education, upbringing, cultural and leisure activity; staff training for educational work and youth outreach; missionary work; activities and functioning of youth organisations. The data collected as a result of the analysis allows to draw a conclusion about a big potential of the development of denominational social youth policy in the Russian Federation, as well as about the need for further study of this topic, which is new for the social and humanitarian sciences. 

Keywords: denominations, traditional religious denominations, denominational youth policy, institution of religion, youth, socialisation, educational system, staff training, maintenance support, resources provision

Abstract: The subject of the present article is the institutional foundation of interaction of state and municipal authorities and Islamic religious organisations. In particular, the author pays attention to the study of formal and informal institutional practices in this field. The direct object of analysis is the existing legislative framework and the informal practices of interaction between religious and political spheres in the Republic of Chechnya and the Republic of Dagestan. Significant attention in the article is paid to the disclosure of common features and peculiarities of the existing interaction between the authorities and Islamic organisations (as exemplified by the Muslim spiritual directorates) in Chechnya and Dagestan, which could allow to classify the models of politicisation of Islam in these regions. The main methodological approach used in this work is neo-institutionalism. The research includes comparative analysis of existing regulatory and legal framework regarding the subject of the study, as well as interviews with experts. The conducted research allowed to draw conclusions regarding the implementation of different models of politicisation of islam in Chechnya and Dagestan. The scenario of politicisation of Islam "from above" appears to be typical for Chechnya, and in Dagestan the variant of politicisation of Islam "from below" is more likely nowadays. In both cases it can be stated that there is a breakaway from strictly secular forms of interaction between Islam and politics. In Chechnya there is an emerging model of intensive cooperation between the authorities and the Muslim Spiritual Directorate. Such practice cannot be stated to exist in Dagestan yet. 

Keywords: post-secularity, institutes, Islam, politicisation, the North Caucasus, religion, the Chechen Republic, Dagestan, regions, comparative political studies

Abstract: The article is devoted to the religious structure of a state institution described by Mikhail Shcherbatov in his utopia “Journey to the Land of Ophyr” (1783). The research is focused on a priestpoliceman depicted by the writer in his utopia. Rostovtseva examines existing scientific views on the grounds of that image. According to T. Artemieva, Shcherbatov has formed his religious ideal under the influence of the concept of cameralistics of Justi and Sonnenfels while G. Vernadsky and S. Ber explains the writer’s choice by his Mason views. Rostovtseva sows that none of these points of view, however, explains the origin of that image, so the researcher offers a new solution of this scientific issue which is to analyze Shcherbatov’s religious “reform” in terms of the legislative policy of enlightened absolutism. For analysis the author of the article uses a wide range of draft laws and laws that represent the practice of religious discipline throughout the 18th century. These are, in the first place, the Imperial Majesty’s Edict on Mandatory Church Confession of 1718, Spiritual Regulation (1721), the draft New Regulations of 1755 and a number of documents developed during the ruling of Catherine the Great such as “Big Nakaz (Order) of the Empress’ and “Discipline or Police Statute” (1782), etc. Having analyzed the Journey to the Land of Ophyr in terms of the aforesaid legal acts, on the one hand, and activity of Shcherbatov as a depute of the Big Commission for Creating a New Discipline Order, on the other hand, the author of the article concludes that the image of the priest-policeman answered the needs of the overall state policy of enlightened absolutism regarding Orthodox Church.

Keywords: enlightened absolutism, political ideal, religious discipline, Catherine the Great, Nakaz, Discipline Statute, Mikhail Shcherbatov, literary utopia, Ophyrea, sancrai.

Abstract: The author of the article views religion as an institution of socialization. In particular, Nikolenko studies retrospective transformation of the role of Russian Orthodox Church in the life of government at the present stage. The author defines the share of religious people and those who follow Orthodox canons in the Russian Federation. This is a topical issue due to the growing popularity of discussion on traditional values and the role of religion in the life of modern Russian society as well as increasing interest towards religious practices over the past decades. To better understand the process of socialization based on traditional, i. e. religious spiritual practices in modern Russia, associated concepts and the role of church institution in modern Russia, the author has applied the following methods: abstraction and historical analysis. According to the author, being a traditional social institution church will continue to participate in social life as an independent organization but not as a branch of the country’s political system. When a government tries to impose spiritual practices, it usually evokes the opposite reaction, i. e. people start to reject it. If a church merges with the administrative system instead of keeping a distance from it, the main function of church as a social institution, i. e. development of the spiritual potential and observance of moral standards, is lost. Based on the author, today it is very important that the church puts more effort towards encouraging charity and support of people in crisis situations. This would take the church to a new level as a social institution and be a harmonic contribution to the dogmatic teaching and traditional meaning. People will never trust Church or perceive Church as a support or defender if they take it as a part of the political system.

Keywords: religion, Russian Federation, Russian Orthodox Church, socialization, social institution, society, traditional values, need for development, dogmatic teachings.

Abstract: The article is devoted to the two main problems of hermeneutics of the Evangelic parable. The fi rst problem relates to the question whether it is actually admissible to have multiple interpretations of parables and to make particular moral and didactic conclusions based on the narrative. From this point of view, parable can be viewed as a multi-level structure including different aspects of symbolically refl ected reality which in its hermeneutic interpretation may have many meanings at the same time: literal or historical-grammatical meaning, spiritual or moralesthetical meaning or allegoric (symbolic-mystical), tropological and anagogic meanings. In late ancient and patristic periods in history Church was chosen as a universal system of interpreting parables based on a great number of hermeneutic and exegetic methods. Origen of Alexandria and Saint Augustine founded the Biblical hermeneutics which, as Paul Ricoeur said, was the fundament of modern philosophical hermeneutics. Patristic principles of interpreting Evangelic parables were almost completely denied at the epoch of Reformation which had confessional grounds. Modern hermeneutics is based on the assumption that each sign has many meanings and therefore recognizes the multiple meanings of parables. The second problem discussed by the author relates to the question whether the total interpretation of all elements of parables is reasonable. The author has used the following research methods: textual analysis, historical-cultural, historical-typological, comparative-historical, semiotic, philosophical and theological-patristic analysis. The author of the article also touches upon the history of the development of theoretical grounds for interpreting Evangelic parables at different ages: patristic period, the Reformation, liberal Protestantism and others up to the time when the semiotic model was created. The author also studies the grounds of the modern variety of different concepts and analyzes whether these are applicable to particular hermeneutic tasks.

Keywords: Parable, meaning, interpretation, New Testament, Christianity, hermeneutics, exegetics, new spiritual reality, interpretation of parables.

Abstract: The article is devoted to peculiarities of church proceedings on antigovernment activity of representatives of the Orthodox Church in the Russian Empire in the years of the fi rst Russian revolution (1905 – 1907). The present topic is understudied by historical sciences. Even though the repressive infl uence of the hierarchy on oppositional clerics is commonly known, a specifi c content of particular cases have been rarely a focus of attention of researchers and academicians. However, even though the current base of sources is insuffi cient to create a full picture, it still allows to progress in studying this phenomenon. Viewing the materials of court proceedings, the author of the present article compares approaches of different governmental institutions to the problem of suppressing anti-government activity of the priesthood and provides examples of behavior of priests in this crisis situation. According to the author, there was also the complex interaction between state authorities and church authorities (both central and eparchial ones). The Holy Synod played a decisive role in strengthening consistorial sentences in a number of cases. Uncertainty of criteria of political unreliability made participants of legal proceedings to use argument of subjective character. There were also cases when calumniatory claims were made with the intention to solve domestic problems for one’s benefi t in the parish.

Keywords: Russian Orthodox church, Holy Synod, church court, the fi rst Russian revolution, State Duma, consistory, defrocking, prohibitions in priesthood, legal proceedings.

Abstract: The article is devoted to the legal status of communities of Evangelical Christians and Baptists in Bashkiria during the period of the totalitarianism domination in the USSR. The author describes methods used by the government to fight against churches such as: restrictions of activities, de-registration, anti-religious propaganda, increase in taxes, arrests of priests and so on. As a result of that policy, churches became absolutely illegal by the end of the 30s. The period of the New Economic Policy can be regarded as the period of temporary balance of forces when the government had to at least pretend to reckon with the fact of religious beliefs of the USSR citizens. By 1928 that delicate balance was ruined and religion was prohibited. Russia embarked on their grandiose plans to build the socialistic republic. Not only traditional economic relations, but also the style of life and thinking and the peasant’s religious ideology were meant to be eliminated. Religious ideology was quite a serious threat to the new faith, communism. Thus, the period since 1929 till 1943 was the time of the most intensive repressions of the communities of Evangelical Christians and Baptists in Bashkiria. The governmental tried to eliminate religious communicated by creating negative legal conditions for them. As a result of that policy, all activities performed by religious communities became illegal and the number of such communities was reduced to a minimum. Only the Great Patriotic War stopped the process.

Keywords: history, Soviet state, religion, religious policy, methods, Baptism, Christianity, church, fight, propaganda.

Abstract: The author of the article assumes that the problem of religious extremism is especially important for the two countries today – strategic partners of the Customs and Eurasian Union, Russia and Kazakhstan. In this regard, the emphasis is made on constant monitoring and improvement of the legal base of countering religious extremism in the above mentioned countries. The authors of the article carry out a brief comparative law analysis of the legislation on enforcing security in Russia and Kazakhstan. In particular, they analyze laws setting forth the definition of religious extremism both in Russian and Kazakhstan legal systems. The authors also evaluate the strong and weak points of associated legislations in these two countries. They pay special attention to the fact that it is necessary to provide a more distinct definition of ‘incitement of religious hatred, intolerance and hostility’ which would allow to distinguish between these illegal actions and proper missionary and apologetic activities. The authors of the article also pay our attention to the problem of proselytism and offer their own definition of this activity as well as prove that proselytism should be regarded as extremism and legally punished. It is especially stressed out by the authors of the article that guarantees for religious security should be one of the key tasks for Kazakhstan and Russia. This is the very sphere where both countries should establish legal regulation standards as soon as possible. Based on the authors of the article, there is a significant potential to improve the current legislation in these two countries because their legal systems and national mentality are rather close to one another.

Keywords: religious extremism, religious security, Customs Union, religious intolerance, legal studies, proselytism, extremist activity, Russia, Kazakhstan.

Abstract: Bishop was the highest official in the system of diocesan administration during the synodical period. Within his Diocese, he had administrative, judicial and economic power over his church. Bishops had rather extensive powers which concern all sides of diocesan life. In addition, being the head of his diocese, the bishop represented church’s interests before local governmental authorities. Such broad-spectrum and versatile activities of the bishop created certain difficulties in diocese management. The institution of vicar bishops was created to help the ruling bishops to govern their dioceses. During the synodical period the Diocese of Vladimir and Suzdal had three vicariates: Muromsk Vicariate founded in 1868, Yurievsky Vicariate founded in 1907 and Suzdal Vicariate founded in 1916. On March 24, 1916 the Emperor Nikolay II approved of the Report of the Holy Synod about foundation of the third vicariate in the Diocese f Vladimir and naming it Suzdal Vicariate. The Bishop of Suzdal was assigned as a governor (abbot) of the Suzdal Saviour Monastery of St. Euthymius. Archbishop of Vladimir and Suzdal was assigned the title of ‘Vladimir and Shuysky Archbishop’ and had that title till the synodical period was over.

Keywords: history, vicariate, diocese, synod, Russian Orthodox Church, ministry, power, bishop, powers, activity.

Abstract: The present research covers teachings of a number of Gnostic schools which altogether created a serious opposition to medieval Rome Catholic Church in Europe. The author describes the opposition between Guelphs and Ghibellines not only as part of politics but also as the two forces each of which had an opportunity to establish their legal regimes in Italian countries. The author of the article also considers grounds for rebellions in Milan, Brescia and Rome in XII-XIII centuries. The principles of organization of the Pope’s and Emperor’s powers were the subject of lively discussions reflected in bullas and bans as well as political and legal treaties. The author views consequence of this opposition between Gnostic and Catholic views reflected both on the political map of Europe and European law monuments.

Keywords: law studies, Albigenses, Vavasours, Ghibellines, followers of Arnold of Brescia, Gnosticism, Inquisition, Cathars, papacy, Franciscans.

Abstract: The article analyzes the role and influence of globalization on the political and religious interaction processes within society and explores the forms of such interaction. The author concludes that the globalization/ localization dynamic has contributed to the forming of politization of religion topoi. The author formulates the differences in the political-religious environment of Western and Eastern societies, and analyzes the activity of religious political parties.

Keywords: Political science, politization of religion, modernization, globalization/localization, confessional destructions, migration process, conglomeration, deterritorization of religion, national-Christian topos, multiculturalism topos.