Religion in Russia: Major Faiths, Demographics & History

The main religion in Russia is Russian Orthodox Christianity (73%). Other significant religions include Islam (10%) and other Christian denominations (2%). Russia has a population of 144 million, of which approximately 15% are non-religious, a legacy of decades of Soviet state atheism.

Major Religions & Demographics

Russia's religious landscape was reshaped by 70 years of Soviet atheism and the dramatic revival that followed. Approximately 73% identify as Russian Orthodox, though regular church attendance is estimated at only 5-10%. The Russian Orthodox Church has become closely aligned with the state and national identity.

Islam is the second-largest religion at approximately 10% (about 14-20 million people), concentrated in the North Caucasus (Chechnya, Dagestan) and among Tatar and Bashkir populations along the Volga. Buddhism is practiced by about 0.5%, mainly among Buryats and Kalmyks. Approximately 15% describe themselves as non-religious, and small communities of Catholics, Protestants, Jews, and others also exist.

History of Religion

Russia adopted Eastern Orthodox Christianity in 988 CE when Prince Vladimir of Kyiv was baptized. The Russian Orthodox Church became central to national identity, with Moscow declaring itself the "Third Rome" after the fall of Constantinople. The church was deeply intertwined with the Tsarist state for centuries.

The Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 brought militant state atheism. Churches were destroyed or converted, clergy were persecuted, and religious practice was suppressed. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, a massive religious revival occurred. The Russian Orthodox Church regained immense influence, and legislation in 1997 granted it special status among Russia's "traditional" religions (Orthodox Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism).

Religious Sites & Landmarks

The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, demolished by Stalin in 1931 and rebuilt in the 1990s, symbolizes Russia's religious revival. St. Basil's Cathedral on Red Square, with its colorful onion domes, is an iconic image of Russia. The Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius in Sergiev Posad is Russian Orthodoxy's most important monastery.

The Kul Sharif Mosque in Kazan, rebuilt in 2005, represents Tatar Islamic heritage. The Buddhist Ivolginsky Datsan in Buryatia is the center of Russian Buddhism. The Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg houses the tombs of the Romanov tsars. The Danilov Monastery in Moscow is the administrative center of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Religion in Daily Life

The Russian Orthodox Church has become a pillar of national identity under the post-Soviet state. Easter (Paskha) is the most important religious celebration, with midnight services and traditional foods like kulich (sweet bread) and paskha (sweet cheese). Epiphany ice swimming (January 19) draws millions who plunge into frozen lakes and rivers.

Icons are common in homes, cars, and offices. Baptism, Orthodox weddings, and funerals remain culturally important even among the non-devout. Muslim regions like Chechnya and Dagestan observe Ramadan, and mosques serve as community centers. The state's close relationship with the Orthodox Church has led to restrictions on newer religious movements, with Jehovah's Witnesses banned as "extremist" in 2017.