The mythology of L. P. Karsavin’s (1882-1952) conversion to Catholicism is untenable: new materials

The article examines the main sources that caused the rumors about the conversion of the Russian religious philosopher Lev Karsavin to Catholicism. The author of the article carefully examines the appearance of such statements with the testimonies of A. A. Vaneev, a student and follower of L. P. Karsavin and available documentary sources - criminal and camp cases, medical history, correspondence of the persons involved, etc. The stability of the rumors was also facilitated by a frivolous attitude towards unreliable sources, expressed in their translation into Russian without the necessary comments refuting all the unreliable information. The author regards the publication of this research article not only as a scientific work establishing the truth, but also as the fulfillment of the Church’s duty towards the memory of L. P. Karsavin, who remained a faithful son of the Russian Orthodox Church until his last breath.