“If only the soul of Russia were preserved”. On the 150th anniversary of the birth of the classic of 20th century Russian literature, the outstanding Orthodox thinker Ivan Sergeevich Shmelev (1873–1950). Materials of the round table of the scientific project of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy “Byzantine Cabinet”

The publication is based on the speeches of the participants of the round table dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the birth of I. S. Shmelev, which took place on October 3, 2023, as part of the activities of the scientific and educational project of the St. Petersburg Theological Academy “Byzantine Cabinet”. The spiritual path, main themes and features of Shmelev’s work are considered in the context of the most significant events of his biography (childhood in patriarchal Moscow, the tragedy of the revolution in Russia, living conditions in exile). The writer’s views on the spiritual and educational mission of his work (including in the light of the traditions of N. V. Gogol) are analyzed, its multifaceted focus — spiritual enlightenment and consolation of Russian exiles, education and edification of descendants and testimony to the Western world. Special attention is paid to historiosophical journalism, in which Shmelev’s gift for heartfelt conversation with the reader was most vividly demonstrated, and spiritual coordinates for understanding Russian history were set that were fundamentally different from secular historiography. Some topics of Shmelev’s long-term correspondence with his close friend and like-minded philosopher I. A. Ilyin are also considered — the philosophy of art and creativity, the problem of Russia’s revival. It is noted that today the great writer has already found, as he dreamed, “his” reader “all over Russia”, but a deep study, disclosure and comprehension of his legacy by specialist scientists — philosophers, historians, cultural scientists, literary scholars — remains a pressing task of our time.