Mystical conservatism: describing the worldview of prince A. N. Golitsyn

The article is devoted to an outstanding statesman of the early 19th century, Prince Alexander Nikolayevich Golitsyn (1773-1844). Te activities A. Golitsyn are characterized by his desire to implement a program, the ideological origins of which were rooted in Rosicrucianism and Western European mystical and eschatological doctrines. Particular atention is paid in this article to the analysis of religious views of A. Golitsyn. Based on concrete examples of the prince’s activities in the institutions that he headed (Holy Synod, Russian Bible Society, Ministry of Spiritual Affairs and National Education), Golitsyn’s religious and philosophical program was reflected in his practical activities. Te analysis shows how government mysticism was associated with different areas of socio-political thought, both liberal and conservative, on the basis of which Golitsyn tried to create a national consensus. Separately, the reasons why the mystic-cosmopolitan ideology was not realized in practice are analyzed; in practice, A. Golitsyn turned against himself both liberal enlighteners and Orthodox conservatives