Spiritual significance of Dostoevsky as evaluated by I. S. Aksakov and archbishop Nikanor

Two opinions, that define the Christian orientation of Dostoevsky and the role of the author in the life of Russian society, are presented in this article. The first one belongs to the famous Slavophile I. S. Aksakov, the second one to the Archbishop of Kherson and Odessa Nikanor. The solidarity of opinions of the Slavophile and the church philosophers about the works by Dostoevsky is emphasized. On the basis of the preaching of Archbishop Nikanor a conclusion about the spiritual affinity of Dostoevsky and Slavophiles is made.