Author: Alexander A. Panchenko
Institute of Russian Literature (Pushkin House), Russian Academy of Sciences.
Translation from Russian by Tanya Neycheva
Published in Slavyanski dialozi, XVII, 2020, 26
Abstract: The article addresses two main issues. The first one is related to two religious movements that gained mass character in Russia in the period from the XVIII to the beginning of the XX century – hristovshhina and skopchestvo. An outline of both their general and specific characteristics is offered. Culturally and historically, their genesis is deduced, attention is paid to their eschatological beliefs, asceticism, ecstatic ritualism, and the forms of daily religious practice, which acquire a folklore character. The second main issue addressed in the article is a specific ritual practice known as “walking by ship” („хождение кораблем“). The observations made are based on Russian folklore epics (bilini).
Key words: hristovshhina, skopchestvo, ritual practices, Capito, “walking by ship”