Dynamics of religiosity in contemporary Russia according to research in the capital region

Abstract

The paper deals with the state and dynamics of religiosity in modern Russia. The study, which is based on a system of empirical indicators, helps identify key features of religious consciousness, and behavior. This comparative investigation was conducted in Moscow during the last three decades. It was found that at the level of self-identification, approximately half of the population defined themselves as believers, and that there was a decrease in this value over time. The use of a complex typology of religiosity shows that the proportion of actually churched believers who combine adherence to the canons, both at the level of consciousness and of behavior, is significantly lower and has been in the range of 6%8% during the past five years. The motives for participation in religious ceremonies are mainly a general cultural orientation associated with family, kinship, and national traditions.