Editing Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (section)

=== On Christianity, Tsarism, and Russian nationalism ===
{{Conservatism in Russia|Intellectuals}}
According to William Harrison, Solzhenitsyn was an "arch-[[reactionary]]", who argued that the Soviet State "suppressed" traditional Russian and [[Culture of Ukraine|Ukrainian culture]], who called for the creation of a [[All-Russian nation|united Slavic state encompassing Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus]], and who was a fierce opponent of [[Ukrainian nationalism|Ukrainian independence]]. It is well documented that his negative views on Ukrainian independence became more radical over the years.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kriza |first1=Elisa |title=Alexander Solzhenitsyn: Cold War Icon, Gulag Author, Russian Nationalist? |date=2014 |publisher=ibidem Press |location=Stuttgart |isbn=9783838205892 |pages=200–201}}</ref> Harrison also alleged that Solzhenitsyn held [[Pan-Slavism|Pan-Slavist]] and [[Monarchism|monarchist]] views. According to Harrison, "His historical writing is imbued with a hankering after an idealized [[Tsarist]] era when, seemingly, everything was rosy. He sought refuge in a dreamy past, where, he believed, a united Slavic state (the Russian empire) built on Orthodox foundations had provided an ideological alternative to western individualistic liberalism."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Harrison|first=William|date=4 August 2008|title=William Harrison: Solzhenitsyn was an arch-reactionary|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2008/aug/04/solzhenitsyn.russia|access-date=8 July 2020|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

Solzhenitsyn also repeatedly denounced Tsar [[Alexis of Russia]] and [[Patriarch Nikon of Moscow]] for causing the [[Raskol|Great Schism of 1666]], which Solzhenitsyn said both divided and weakened the Russian Orthodox Church at a time when unity was desperately needed. Solzhenitsyn also attacked both the Tsar and the [[Patriarch]] for using [[excommunication]], Siberian exile, imprisonment, torture, and even [[burning at the stake]] against the [[Old Believers]], who rejected the liturgical changes which caused the Schism.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}

Solzhenitsyn also argued that the dechristianization of Russian culture, which he considered most responsible for the [[Bolshevik Revolution]], began in 1666, became much worse during the Reign of Tsar [[Peter the Great]], and accelerated into an epidemic during [[The Enlightenment]], the [[Romantic era]], and the [[Silver Age of Russian Poetry|Silver Age]].{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}

Expanding upon this theme, Solzhenitsyn once declared, "Over a half century ago, while I was still a child, I recall hearing a number of old people offer the following explanation for the great disasters that had befallen Russia: 'Men have forgotten God; that's why all this has happened.' Since then I have spent well-nigh 50 years working on the history of our revolution; in the process I have read hundreds of books, collected hundreds of personal testimonies, and have already contributed eight volumes of my own toward the effort of clearing away the rubble left by that upheaval. But if I were asked today to formulate as concisely as possible the main cause of the ruinous revolution that swallowed up some 60 million of our people, I could not put it more accurately than to repeat: 'Men have forgotten God; that's why all this has happened.'"<ref>Ericson, Edward E. Jr. (October 1985) "Solzhenitsyn – Voice from the Gulag,"</ref>

In an interview with [[Joseph Pearce]], however, Solzhenitsyn commented, "[The [[Old Believers]] were] treated amazingly unjustly because some very insignificant, trifling differences in ritual which were promoted with poor judgment and without much sound basis. Because of these small differences, they were persecuted in very many cruel ways, they were suppressed, they were exiled. From the perspective of historical justice, I sympathise with them and I am on their side, but this in no way ties in with what I have just said about the fact that religion in order to keep up with mankind must adapt its forms toward modern culture. In other words, do I agree with the Old Believers that religion should freeze and not move at all? Not at all!"<ref>Joseph Pearce (2011), ''Solzhenitsyn: A Soul in Exile'', [[Ignatius Press]]. pp. 329–330.</ref>

When asked by Pearce for his opinions about the division within the [[Roman Catholic Church]] over the [[Second Vatican Council]] and the [[Mass of Paul VI]], Solzhenitsyn replied, "A question peculiar to the [[Russian Orthodox Church]] is, should we continue to use [[Old Church Slavonic]], or should we start to introduce more of the contemporary [[Russian language]] into the service? I understand the fears of both those in the Orthodox and in the [[Catholic Church]], the wariness, the hesitation, and the fear that this is lowering the Church to the modern condition, the modern surroundings. I understand this, but alas, I fear that if religion does not allow itself to change, it will be impossible to return the world to religion because the world is incapable on its own of rising as high as the old demands of religion. Religion needs to come and meet it somewhat."<ref>Joseph Pearce (2011), ''Solzhenitsyn: A Soul in Exile'', [[Ignatius Press]]. p.  330.</ref>

Surprised to hear Solzhenitsyn, "so often perceived as an arch-[[Traditionalist Catholicism|traditionalist]], apparently coming down on the side of the reformers", Pearce then asked Solzhenitsyn what he thought of the division caused within the [[Anglican Communion]] by the [[Ordination of women in the Anglican Communion|decision to ordain female priests]].<ref>Joseph Pearce (2011), ''Solzhenitsyn: A Soul in Exile'', [[Ignatius Press]]. pp.  330–331.</ref>

Solzhenitsyn replied, "Certainly there are many firm boundaries that should not be changed. When I speak of some sort of correlation between the cultural norms of the present, it is really only a small part of the whole thing." Solzhenitsyn then added, "Certainly, I do not believe that women priests is the way to go!"<ref name="Joseph Pearce 2011 Page 331">Joseph Pearce (2011), ''Solzhenitsyn: A Soul in Exile'', [[Ignatius Press]]. p. 331.</ref>