Novikov: from masonry to Orthodoxy

Abstract

Nikolai Novikov, an eighteenth-century Russian publisher and writer, started his publishing career in St. Petersburg with a series of short-lived satirical journals. In these journals, he expressed
strong religious feelings that were frequently mixed with patriotism. He found such patriotic religiosity unfulfilling and turned to the masons who he thought had answers. He found masonry
important to the extent to which it agreed with Christian tenets. His faith deepened as the result of his prolonged illness which marked his spiritual rebirth.
The article argues that in his essays and letters Novikov maintained that religion was a very important part of life, in fact, life’s foundation. In particular, education of the mind and the heart should be founded on Christianity religion.
Masonry was very important in Novikov’s life, but because he believed that masonry should lead in the direction of Christianity, he remained Christian deeply committed to the dogmas and rites of the Orthodox church.