Pentecostalism and Society in Russia in 1991–2024

Introduction. The article deals with the spread of Pentecostalism in Russia in 1991–2024 and the interaction of the new Protestant denomination with society. The reasons for the success of the mission and the peculiarities of Pentecostalism in comparison with other directions of Protestantism are analyzed. Methods and materials. The methodological basis of the study was formed by the principles of historicism and objectivity, as well as special-historical methods: historical-comparative and historical-genetic. The development of Protestantism is shown as a holistic phenomenon in relationship with other Christian denominations. The data of domestic historiography, sources, and statistical information are compared with studies in regions with a large spread of Pentecostalism. The experience of work in the field of state-confessional relations is used. Analysis. The features of religious centers were studied: unregistered brotherhood, formed in the Soviet years, and unions of a new type, created in the 1990s. Results. The study found that Pentecostalism became the fourth largest Christian denomination in Russia, far surpassing the Baptists, who dominated during the Soviet era. Its success was facilitated by the combination of Christian fundamentalism with the modern character of worship, belief in the possibility of performing miracles in ordinary life, and active social work, primarily in the field of rehabilitation, as well as the missionary work of ordinary believers. It is concluded that further growth of Pentecostalism is unlikely due to the secularization of society, since fundamentalist churches require the convert to completely restructure their life.