Anton V. Kartashev as chairman of the St. Petersburg religious-philosophical society

The article examines the activities of Anton Vladimirovich Kartashev as chairman of the St. Petersburg Religious-Philosophical Society. While heading the Society, A. V. Kartashev took an active part not only in the organization of its work, but also in the intellectual work during the meetings. As Chairman, Anton Vladimirovich was preparing for the meetings by studying the content of future messages and considering the order of speakers. The leadership of the St. Petersburg Society allowed A. V. Kartashev to form a range of acquaintances not only in the philosophical, but also in the political environment. Anton Vladimirovich, just as the Society Chairman, would be offered the post of deputy Ober Procurator of the Synod under the Provisional Government in 1917. Being a member of the Merezhkovsky circle, A. V. Kartashev was under their strong ideological influence. It raises the question of Anton Vladimirovich's discretion in determining the intellectual direction of the Society's work. In a polemic on philosophical issues, in the vast majority of cases, A. V. Kartashev supported the Merezhkovskys. Later on, the organization of meetings was held in a more convenient form for them. Finally, thanks to Anton Vladimirovich, only supporters of the Merezhkovskys remained in the membership of the Society and even its board.