During the early Russian Empire, tensions between the state and Church and the beliefs of many ethnic minorities and social groups shaped the religious culture of Russia's southern frontier.Religion, Identity, and Empire explores the dynamic between religion and both religious and political institutions.
Gregory Bruess recreates the struggle of the government and church to consolidate its diverse population into a single, unified, secular Russia. He illuminates historical and cultural aspects of this era, including the attempts of Archbishop Nikiforos to bring the "correct" message of Christ to ethnically diverse parishioners for their religious, moral and civic benefit. In addition, his account of those who strayed provide a fascinating glimpse of daily lives and struggles on the frontier as well as the stigmatization that resulted from their nonconformity.Religion, Identity, and Empire is an important contribution to current knowledge of early imperial Russia, and the history of religion as well.