“If it isn’t the khlystovschina, it is preparing for “If it is not the khlystovshchina, it is a preparation for it…”: the issue of identification of mystical sectarianism in Saratov guberniya in the post-reform period

This article is devoted to the problem of the identification in the old Russian (“mystical”) sectarianism in post-reformed Russia (the second half of the 19th century - the beginning of the 20th century) on the example of Saratov province. The author emphasizes the trends of the standardization in the interpretations and descriptions of the phenomenon of “khlystovschina” which were created by the church-bureaucratic discourse and influenced the consciousness, primarily, of the provincial clergy and officials. A whole set of mythologies and schematic characteristics, developed in previous periods, constantly occurred in missionary texts and investigative documents. The article notes the heterogeneity and the multidimensionality of those manifestations of popular religiosity which were most often attributed to the group of “khlysty”. The author also points out the dynamic nature of local religious movements, open to new influences and at the same time associated with Orthodox culture. In the end, general conclusions are drawn about the place of “mystical” movements in the religious space of Saratov province in the post-Reform period and their essence; the special role of local identifications and traditions is emphasized.