Religious life of the East Slavic population of Siberia from the late 16th to the early 21st century: a historical and ethnographic overview

This article provides a historical and ethnographic overview of the religious life of the East Slavic population of Siberia (Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, and Cossacks) from the late 16th to the early 21st century. Drawing on the authors’ field materials, archival documents, and statistical data, it traces the changing role of Orthodoxy in everyday life and festive rituals. The article examines the formation of confessional groups of Old Believers, whose specific self‑designations became markers of ethnocultural identity. The study analyzes the persistence of popular Orthodox traditions during the Soviet period, when religious practices were semi‑prohibited. It shows that the post‑Soviet period saw a revival of interest in Orthodoxy, yet the church affiliation of the majority of the population remains largely declarative. Regional peculiarities of religious life are identified, including interethnic borrowings (interest in Buddhism and Islam) and the emergence of new syncretic movements. The authors conclude that despite the weakening of institutional practices, Orthodoxy continues to be an important factor of ethnocultural identity and an element of cultural memory for the East Slavic population of Siberia.