Monotheism and Polytheism in Modern Russian Paganism

DOI: 10.33876/2311-0546/2025-3/245-258

Authors

Keywords:

neo-paganism, monotheism, polytheism, idealism, Plato

Abstract

The worldview of modern Russian pagans is based on the combination of monotheism and polytheism. The gods are considered emanations of the one God, manifestations of his various components. Modern Russian pagans believe that the world is unknowable for subjective human perception. This worldview concept is a manifestation of Plato's idealism in the modern world. The formation of such a concept is facilitated by the presence of a single Creator Deity, who created the world, in the Slavic pagan pantheon (Rod or Svarog). Folkloric texts, such as “The Verse about the Book of the Dove” and the “Symbol of the World Tree” also provide examples that support the concept that unites monotheism and polytheism. Combining mono- and polytheism is a key component of the ideological structure of modern paganism. It determines other parameters, such as religious tolerance, the attitude towards dynamism and modernization of tradition, the syncretism of some pagans’ worldview, the desire to comprehend the world (including through direct knowledge), interest in omens and reading signs, and the formation of specific symbols. The article is based on field research conducted in 2023–2024. During the study, the author conducted 35 individual and group semi-standardized in-depth interviews with pagans and attended various events related to paganism (primarily calendar rituals). Additionally, he explored neo-pagan literature, publications from specialized media, and social networks.

Author Biography

  • Dmitry Gromov, the Russian Academy of Sciences N. N. Miklouho-Maklay Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology

    Gromov, Dmitry V. — Doctor of History, Leading Researcher, the Russian Academy of Sciences N. N. Miklouho-Maklay Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology (Moscow, Russian Federation). E-mail: gromovdv@mail.ru ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0443-8718

    For Citation: Gromov, D. V. 2025. Monotheism and Polytheism in Modern Russian Paganism. Herald of Anthropology (Vestnik Antropologii) 3: 245–258.

    Funding: This research was carried out as part of the project «Neopaganism in the Russian Federation» within the Scientific Research Program on the Ethnocultural Diversity of Russian Society, aimed at strengthening Russian identity, 2023–2025.

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Published

23.09.2025

Issue

No. 3 (2025): Herald of Anthropology (Vestnik antropologii)

Section

Cults and Beliefs