Lev Karsavin on the Religious Meaning of Bolshevism and Russian Revolution

The article examines the unique role of Russian émigré intellectual Lev Platonovich Karsavin (1882–1952) in understanding “Russian communism” as a phenomenon deep religious nature. It is noted that young was formed historian, specialist history European religiosity, medieval sects and heresies, various forms interweaving between religion politics. This experience specific historical cultural research helped Karsavin, who became an active figure Orthodoxy during First World War, analyzing origins revolution Bolshevism. Having found himself exile 1922, continued to actively develop theme “religious” nature Bolshevism, believing only along this path would it be possible future overcome from standpoint Orthodox Christianity.