Cultural influence of parish clergy on the indigenous peoples of the Volga region (second half of the 19th – early 20th century)

The aim of the study is to determine the nature of the cultural influence exerted by parish clergy on the Finno-Ugric indigenous peoples of the Volga region during the post-reform period. The article identifies and examines the directions of cultural influence of the parish clergy on the Finno-Ugric indigenous peoples of the Volga region as a form of soft power. The commonality of these directions was defined both by the fundamental tasks of the spiritual and moral guidance of parishioners and by the similarities in their cultures, histories, languages, and economic characteristics. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the consideration of the complex channels of cultural influence on indigenous parishioners through a cultural studies discourse. As a result of the study, it was established that the parish clergy acted as agents of cultural influence on the Finno-Ugric parish through personal example, the creation of conditions for cultural diffusion, and the stimulation of the indigenous parish’s interest in studying the Russian language. The cultural influence was of a complex nature.