The new third Rome

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This analysis explores the sources, contents, and implications of post-Soviet Russian messianism, particularly the concept of Moscow as the Third Rome. Initially a religious idea introduced by Orthodox monk Filofei of Pskov to critique the apostasy of his era, this notion has been appropriated by various figures, from Western critics to Russian imperialists, as evidence of Russia’s unique identity and expansionist ambitions. The author presents a fresh perspective by employing theories of political myth and nationalism, moving beyond a simplistic rejection of the religious concept’s political applications. Through case studies of nationalist intellectuals Vadim Tsymburskii, Aleksandr Dugin, Nataliia Narochnitskaia, and Egor Kholmogorov, the work illustrates how the Third Rome myth is utilized to redefine Russia following the Soviet Union's collapse. These thinkers craft their vision of the Russian nation, asserting its rightful place in the world. The myth manifests in varying forms, often expressing intense anti-Western sentiment. At its most benign, it portrays Russians as an isolationist civilization; at its most extreme, it suggests a divine mandate for Russia to rule a global empire.