ABSTRACT
It is now common knowledge that the history of Russia is a long succession of extreme events, throughout which the very identity of the Russian people was put in danger. In such turbulent times, there was an imperative need for some kind of force that would be able to keep the Russian people united and to protect them from these ordeals. Only a force beyond down-to-earth considerations could play that role. For this reason, religion can be seen as that central force ‘that motivates and mobilizes people’.
