The world is full of large organizations, whose activities, however, are not always visible. However, there are also secret societies, whose activities seem to most people, in principle, sinister. Although these organizations are secret, everyone knows about their existence, even professed principles and goals are assumed. Most secret societies are formed with real political and religious goals, while their focus on covert activities has made the existence of organizations part of endless conspiracy theories. As a result, secret organizations are credited with activities ranging from occult pursuits to world domination. In reality, such clubs are much more harmless than they are made out to be, but it cannot be discounted that they are still engaged in fascinating, but strange practices, besides influencing world events. With that in mind, below are ten of the most famous and powerful secret societies in history.
Order of the Oriental Templars
Order of the Eastern Templars (Orientis Ordo Templi). The most famous member of this organization is Aleister Crowley. The Order is a mystical organization that emerged in the early twentieth century. The scheme is similar to a less hidden association, the Freemasons. The Eastern Templars rely on ritual and occult practices as a means to move members of the community from one level to another. The general philosophy of the order is based on a new era of esoteric principles and practices, as a way to realize true identity. Much of the group's knowledge, including the Mysteria Mystica Maxima manifesto, comes from the eccentric famous occultist Aleister Crowley. It was he who later became the leader of this secret society. After Crowley's death, the influence and popularity of the Order waned, but today there are still many branches of the community scattered around the world. Mainly, these are the USA, Great Britain, European countries. The rise in popularity of Aleister Crowley at one time led to the fact that his offspring, the Order of the Oriental Templars, eventually came to light. As a result, the organization became much less secret than before. However, this does not mean the loss of the most secret and forbidden practices. Chief among these is the union of sexual passions, especially the teachings of the "worship of the phallus" and the magic of masturbation.
bilderberg club
Bilderberg Club. This organization does not have such explicit leaders and well-known members as the previous one. However, many include Ben Bernanke, chairman of the US Federal Reserve, representatives of the royal families of the Netherlands and Spain, senior officials of the World Bank, and representatives of large corporations. As such, the club is not a secret society, but it operates under its proper veil of secrecy. Not surprisingly, conspiracy theories and heated discussions immediately arose. The Bilderberg Club was founded in 1954 and has since convened its members by exclusive invitation only. As a result, a conference of various world leaders, industrial and media magnates is assembled. Initially, the club's goal was to fight the dominance of Americanism in Europe after World War II, but over the years there has been a broad discussion to achieve mutual understanding between the two rich cultures. The controversy surrounding the activities of the Bilderberg Club is conducted for a completely understandable reason: the press is not allowed there, what the members say remains unknown. The public is officially told only minor details. This secrecy, along with the heightened security of the venue, which includes armed police, security guards and even fighter jet patrols in the sky, has created a number of conspiracy theories about the club. The most popular versions say that the group is trying to control the direction of government policies, financial markets and funds mass media in certain directions prescribed by them. Bilderberg is even called the "One World Government". Versions that the club, as its main goal, seeks to achieve universal agreement and the end of distribution nuclear weapons seem simply unconvincing and naive.
Order of Assassin Assassins (Hashshashin)
Order of assassins assassins (Hashshashin). There were no known members in this organization. The Assassins, or Nizari, were a mysterious group of Muslims active in the Middle East in the 13th century. The group included Shiites who broke away from the mainstream sect and united to create their own utopian state. Since there were very few members of the Order, they preferred to use guerrilla tactics in the fight against their enemies, including espionage, sabotage and political assassinations. The Assassins introduced their highly trained agents into enemy cities and bases with instructions to attack at a strictly specified time. Covert assassins were known to seek to minimize civilian casualties, and the victims were often frightened by the invisibility of their pursuers. According to history the enemy leaders. Waking up in the morning, found on the pillow a dagger of assassins with a note "You are in our power." Over time, the legend of the secret Order grew. Even before the organization was finally destroyed by the Mongols, assassins became famous supposedly by fulfilling orders for such historical figures like King Richard Lion Heart. Around the same time as the Order collapsed, the entire library containing records of the Nizari was destroyed. So much information has been lost that today the Assassins are nothing more than a myth. The legend about the use of drugs and intoxicants by members of the Order of the group looks disputable. The word "Hashshashin" itself translates roughly to "Users of Hashish", indicating the possible use of stimulants in combat. The term itself was discredited, but later the Nizari transformed it into the modern word "assasin" (murderer).
black hand
Black hand. The most famous member of this secret organization was Gavrilo Princip. The secret society "Black Hand" (another name is "Unity or Death") was a national terrorist organization. It included anti-imperialist revolutionaries who fought for the liberation of Serbia from the rule of Austria-Hungary. The Black Hand was born in 1912. It is believed that the organization was originally an offshoot of the "People's Defense", a group seeking to unite all Slavic peoples in Europe. In view of its goals, the organization began to conduct anti-Austrian propaganda, preparing saboteurs and assassins to overthrow state power in the province. The plans included inciting a war between Austria and Serbia, which would make it possible to get out of the imperial yoke and unite the Slavic peoples. The head of the "Black Hand" was Colonel Dragutin Dmitrievich, who served as the head of the Serbian counterintelligence. In fact, the entire state apparatus of the country was controlled by a secret organization. Today, the activities of this terrorist organization would be forgotten if it were not for the participation of the "Black Hand" in one of the most significant events of the 20th century. In 1914, a group of terrorists from "Mlada Bosna" (a branch of the "Black Hand") killed the Austrian Archduke Ferdinand, initiating the First World War. Events began to grow like a snowball. Soon Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, and the allies of both sides stepped in. On the ruins of the First World War, the Second World War broke out, and subsequently " cold war Thus, the Black Hand can be considered one of the most influential forces of the turbulent twentieth century.
Knights of the Golden Circle
Knights of the Golden Circle. The organization's most famous members were rumored to be John Wilkes Booth, Jesse James, and Franklin Pierce. This secret society flourished in the US during the American Civil War. Initially, the group sought to support the accession to the country of Mexico and the West Indies, which could help revive the dying slave trade. However, with the outbreak of hostilities, the Knights shifted their focus from colonizing to fervently supporting the new Confederate government. The organization had several thousand followers who even formed their own partisan detachments and began raiding fortresses in the West. In the northern states, the mysterious order also had a great influence. Many newspapers and public figures sympathized with the Southerners, including President Franklin Pierce, who is a member of the Knights. Unlike most other secret societies, it doesn't just care about rare encounters and mysterious plans. The knights were able to organize their own army and tried to resolve their issues from a position of strength. In 1860, a militant group attempted to invade Mexico. During their own war, the Knights robbed stagecoaches and even attempted to blockade the port at San Francisco. For a short time even managed to take control southern state New Mexico. With the end civil war the activities of the organization gradually faded away, although it is she who is accused by many of organizing the assassination of Lincoln.
Thule Society
Thule Society. The most famous members of this German occult and political secret society were Rudolf Hess, Arthur Rosenberg and even rumored to be Adolf Hitler himself. If many secret organizations are only suspected of their hidden motives, then in the case of the Thule Society everything turned out to be proven. Immediately after the end of the First World War, this organization was unofficially created in Germany. The initial Masonic ideas were quickly replaced by occult ones, over time, the organization began to promote the ideology of the superiority of the Aryan race. This embodied in a racist approach towards Jews and other minorities. Over time, the secret society boasted several thousand of its members, even published its own propaganda newspaper. In 1919, members of the Thule Society organized the political organization "German Workers' Party". Later, the young Adolf Hitler became a member, and she herself transformed into the National Socialist German Party, giving rise to Nazism. Members of the Thule Society, long before the advent of Nazism, took part in strange activities. They enthusiastically tried to find the origins of the Aryan race, looking for them in the mythical land of Thule. According to the legends, a mythical land with a developed civilization existed somewhere in the region of the North Pole, and Iceland is all that remains of the land that has gone under water. There are many conspiracy theories surrounding the Thule Society. Although the organization was banned by Hitler, it is said that it was she who gave him the magical secrets of power and successful public speaking.
Sons of Liberty
Sons of freedom. Famous members of this society are Paul Revere, John and Samuel Adams, John Hancock. The Sons of Liberty are a loosely organized group of dissidents who have been active in America since before the Revolutionary War. Their purpose was to bring about a change in British law in light of the administration of the colonies. "Sons of Liberty" did not exist as a secret society in the traditional sense of the word, rather it was an association of patriot groups in support of common purpose. They usually met in Boston, near the elm, which has since been called the "Freedom" tree. It was here that the group developed its policy of resistance, which included the distribution of pamphlets and even some sabotage and terrorist acts. Such actions led the British to persecute the "Sons of Liberty", considering their actions criminal. The organization even began to be called "Sons of Violence." As a result, the group became the most visible among those who sowed the seeds of revolution among the colonists, and to create famous phrase"No taxation without representation!". Although the "Sons of Liberty" in Boston was the most known group, fractions were distributed over 13 colonies. One faction in Rhode Island plundered and burned the British merchant ship Gaspi to protest unjust laws, while others simply denigrated British supporters. But the most famous case involving the Sons is the Boston Tea Party in 1773, when members of the community disguised as Indians threw tea from British ships into the sea. These events marked the beginning of the American Revolution.
Skull and Bones
Skull and Bones. The most famous representatives of this secret society are George W. Bush and George W. Bush, as well as John Kerry. Ivy League colleges are known for their many secret societies and student organizations. Yale University's "Skull and Bones" is the most famous of them. The organization arose in 1833, its members must be from the aristocracy, Protestants and Anglo-Saxon origin. Today, new members join the society every spring, the only real condition is that the applicant must be the leader of their campus. As a result, the secret organization includes athletes, members of the student council and presidents of other fraternities. Several US presidents, many senators, and Supreme Court judges have come out of Skull and Bones. This gave reason to believe that the organization is semi-underground, uniting the political elite of the country. No one denies that this club is well funded - alumni created the Russel Trust Association, which keeps the society's money. Rumor has it that the group even owns their own island in upstate New York. Although the secret practices of the Skull and Bones are not secret, rumors of obligatory rites still circulate. Although the society meets twice a week, it is not known what it is about. To the dismay of conspiracy theorists, all credible rumors are pretty harmless. The group is associated in practice exclusively with student pranks. Skull and Bones is famous for the legends about how new members are required to talk about their sexual fantasies, and also analyzes the sexual stories of childhood and adolescence. It is also customary to give nicknames to all members of society. Thus, the tallest of them is called the "Long Devil", the one with the greatest sexual experience is called "Magog" (this name was with William and Robert Taft and Bush Sr.). But Bush Jr., apparently, could not conquer the group with his talents, having received the nickname "Temporary".
Illuminati
Illuminati. The most famous members of the order are Goethe and Ferdinand of Brunswick. In popular culture and the realm of strange and mysterious conspiracy theories, the existence of this secret society is no secret to anyone. The Illuminati end up appearing in books, movies and television. As usual, most people perceive the Illuminati as just a myth, but the facts say that in the late 1700s such a real organization did exist in Germany. At that time, the members of the group were enlightened freethinkers who became a radical offshoot of the Enlightenment. But society soon turned away from this group, whose views on morality, upbringing and applied methods were too radical. Rumors soon spread that the dissidents intended to overthrow the government or even deliberately fomented the French Revolution. Although the secret society soon disintegrated, its influence remained strong. According to rumors, they simply continued their activities, completely going into the shadows. The Illuminati is credited with creating the United States and October revolution in Russia. Thanks to a constant in popular literature, the Illuminati still inspires fear today. Modern conspiracy theorists claim that the secret society managed to survive and now exists as a sinister shadow government, directing the actions of world politics and industry in the right direction. The Bush, Winston Churchill, and Barack Obama families are believed to be the Illuminati in our time, but no evidence of the existence of such a group has ever been found. Nevertheless, the secret society of the Illuminati today is one of the most famous and popular.
Masons
Masons. The number of famous members of Masonic lodges is truly impressive, one can only recall Winston Churchill, Mark Twain, Henry Ford and Ben Franklin. Today, they are less influential and secretive than ever, but still remain one of the most famous brotherhoods in the world. Only officially members of Freemasonry are about 5 million people. Masons were officially born in 1717, although there are some documents that testify to the activities of the group as far back as the 14th century. Initially, the brotherhood was created for people who share key philosophical ideas, including belief in Supreme Being. Freemasons paid much attention to morality, as a result, many of the heads of the lodges became known for their charitable activities and public works. Despite these harmless qualities, the Freemasons were not without criticism. Conspiracy theorists accuse them of being involved in nefarious occult practices and even political groups. Traditionally, churches of all denominations criticize Freemasons, as their moral teachings and esoteric spiritual beliefs are at odds with traditional religion. In the old days Freemasonry was based on unique traditions and principles. Today, when the number of members is so large, and the lodges are scattered all over the world, it becomes difficult to maintain the foundations. Only one practice, called the method of induction, remained unchanged. The initiate must be recommended to the group by someone who is already a Mason, and to reach the level of "Master" the individual must pass through three different degrees. Members have prescribed modes of greeting each other, including handshakes, gestures, and passwords, and non-members are prohibited from attending meetings.
The history of the emergence of secret communities and "clubs of interest" goes back centuries. Everything unknown traditionally causes a lot of conflicting facts and conjectures. However, many goals, principles and statutes of secret societies have come down to us in an undistorted form.
Secret societies in Russia
Circle of sixteen
This opposition group included the young aristocrats of St. Petersburg. Years of activity 1838-1840. The members of this secret society of radicals and secret revolutionaries were such famous people like Mikhail Lermontov, Pyotr Valuev, the Dolgorukov brothers and other prominent people of their time.Young people professed the ideas of the philosopher Chaadaev, who pointed to the "spiritual stagnation" of Russia, and therefore was outside the law. After the “circle” was discovered by the authorities, most of its members fled to the Caucasus, following Lermontov.
Black redistribution
A secret society with populist tendencies. It was formed in 1879 in St. Petersburg. Its members did not attach much importance to politics and relied on the economic struggle. The basis of their ideas was the Russian community, in which the "Chernopredel" saw the origins of socialist development.Welfare Union
Decembrist secret organization. It was founded in 1818. It had about 200 members. Its participants set as their goals the moral education of the people, enlightenment and alleviation of the fate of the serfs. However, this society also had hidden ideas: the elimination of serfdom, the overthrow of the king and the establishment of its own political system. 
In 1821, in the wake of the persecution of any secret societies, the Welfare Union was dissolved.
European secret societies
Illuminati
The most replicated by the media, cinema and literature is the secret society of Europe. Now this order is perceived by many as mythical. However, historical evidence states that such a secret organization existed in Germany at the end of the 18th century. The members of this society were distinguished by radical views. Human rumor ascribes to them the incitement of the French Revolution and the October Revolution in Russia. Also, there are rumors that the Illuminati created the USA. IN different time Goethe, Ferdinand of Brunswick, Winston Churchill, Barack Obama, the Bush family and other famous people were called members of the order. 
Based historical facts, this secret society did not last long. However, rumor has it that the Illuminati simply went into the shadows and decide the fate of the world to this day.
Order of the Oriental Templars
The founder of this secret mystical society is the famous Satanist and occultist Aleister Crowley in the 20th century. Members of this order widely used esoteric practices to change the state of consciousness and transitions to other levels of existence.With the growing popularity of the "father" of the organization, Crowley, the Order of the Oriental Templars conquered more and more new followers around the world. So, the organization almost ceased to be a secret, however, according to rumors, this is just a tactical move to attract new members of society. The Order of the Oriental Templars continues to use forbidden satanic practices in their rituals.
bilderberg club
It is difficult to name the founder of this secret organization, but there are more than enough known members. According to rumors, the club includes representatives of the royal families of Spain, the Netherlands, European and American magnates, representatives of the world's largest corporations. You can get into this, no doubt, an elite club only by receiving an invitation. This practice has existed since 1954. 
The initial goals of the club were to fight the dominance of American culture in Europe, however, over time, radical ideas were replaced by peaceful ones. At least that's what the official version sounds like. And since the club is strictly confidential, and the meetings of its members are held under high security conditions, ideas about a worldwide conspiracy are constantly heard about the Bilderberg Club. Sometimes, the club is even called the One World Government.
Thule Society
One of the most famous German occult societies. There are versions that Rudolf Hess, Arthur Rosenberg and Adolf Hitler were its members. This society was created after the end of the First World War. The idea of the "club" is consonant with the idea of the Third Reich - the superiority of the Aryan race. This is not surprising, because over time, at the suggestion of this society, the German Workers' Party was created. It later evolved into the National Socialist Party, which gave birth to Nazism. 
Thule is a mythical land where the origins of the Aryan race are located. According to legend, it existed in the area North Pole. This is what the followers of the society were looking for.
The most famous secret society in the world is the Masonic lodge.
The Masonic lodge is one of the most famous and controversial societies in world history. According to various sources, the Freemasons were Winston Churchill, Henry Ford, Benjamin Franklin, Mark Twain and many, many other "powers that be". 
According to official information, the Masonic lodge appeared in 1717. However, there is circumstantial evidence that the society existed as early as the 14th century. To date, there are about 5 million members of the order in the world.
Many accuse Freemasons of the occult and a worldwide conspiracy. Especially fiercely against the Masons was, and still is, the church.
As in many other secret societies, one can become a member of the Masonic lodge only by invitation and by passing special rites of passage.
Surprising are not only secret societies, but also other facts. .
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Alexander Rybalka, a native of Ukraine, now living in Israel. An astronomer by education, an Israeli politician (he is the secretary of the International Hyperzionist Movement "Bead Artseinu" ("For the Motherland!"), is engaged in the history of secret societies and Jewish mystical theology (the author of one of the best books in Russian on Kabbalah "Guide to the World of Kabbalah". Publisher: Bridges of Culture / Gesharim, 2006), is also known as a science fiction writer and author of detective stories, author of several books on the history and activities of secret societies, some of which were published in collaboration with Moscow writer Andrei Sinelnikov.
"Russian Journal": What are secret societies? What are the mechanisms of their functioning, formation, are they durable?
Alexander Rybalka: Secret societies are societies with limited access and limited information about their functioning. I always say that a real secret society is one that only its members themselves know about. For example, modern Freemasonry positions itself as a "society with secrets" - it is not secret, and today in the USA and Great Britain the Grand Lodges operate openly, and you can find their addresses in the phone books.
Are secret societies sustainable? The question is relative. For example, the Grand United Lodge of England has been functioning continuously since 1717. Although she united the existing lodges that existed before her. The oldest documents relating to modern ("speculative", speculative Freemasonry) date back to 1599. Modern Rosicrucians date back to 1614, when the "Call of Fellowship" was first published - although they may as well be associated with the "schools of Osiris" that existed 2000 years before new era. So the longevity of secret societies is a relative concept. I can only say that they have accompanied the entire history of intelligent mankind and will not die tomorrow.
RJ: You are a secret society researcher. What methods are you using? How can one talk about the study of the “secret” at all, because, by definition, the secret is that (or those) that leaves no traces?
A.R: In my research I use both archives and historical research- after all, secret societies often maintain archives in order to somehow streamline their activities, as well as largely personal contacts. For example, it is impossible to study Freemasonry or Rosicrucianism "from outside" - sometimes, when reading books by researchers, I understand that these people do not understand some things that can be obvious only to members of society. In general, this is the work of a historian - only the work is a little more difficult.
RJ: Are you a member of any secret societies?
A.R.: I am a member of the Masonic lodge, and in addition, in several secret societies, which I cannot name. I need this for research. In addition, I am a member of the international Hyperzionist movement "Bead Arzeinu", modeled after a secret society. In addition to the political and social component, it also has a mystical-religious one - the movement is based on the tradition that was behind the creation of the empire of King David, behind the movement of the "sons of the prophets" and Gibborim (knights) of King Solomon (Shlomo), the great uprisings of the Jews in Rome and Persia, behind the political activity of Judaism in the Middle Ages, including the movement of Yahya ben Irmiyahu, the creation of Khazaria, the movement of Judaizers and Subbotniks in Russia.
RJ: Is it possible to talk about the noticeable influence of secret societies on politics, culture, and the life of people in general? What specific secret societies are covered in your books?
A.R.: The influence of secret societies on the life of mankind is enormous. Let's say that the entire modern European civilization was created by Freemasons - I mean both democratic ideas and the ideas of positivism, which created modern society. The United States, as a nation, was created by the Rosicrucians. This is not an ideal country, since any state consists of living people, with a lot of shortcomings, but was the idea a good one?
Together with my co-author Andrei Sinelnikov, I published the book "Interview with a Freemason" - about Freemasonry in general and about Israeli Freemasonry in particular, because Israel, as the birthplace of the Jerusalem Temple, plays a huge role in the Masonic ideology. Recently a book was published, also in collaboration with Sinelnikov, "The Order of Sirius" - about the history of the Rosicrucian Order and about the secret society, which, we believe, stood at the foundation of all modern system initiated brotherhoods. Now we are writing a book "Secrets of Russian Cathedrals" - about the history of secret orders in pre-Petrine Rus'.
RJ: Secret societies are active in the West, the West is their homeland. Are there specifically Russian secret societies?
A.R.: Structures similar to the medieval guilds of Europe have always existed in Russia. Suffice it to recall the artels of painters, which included such famous artists as Dionysius, Andrei Rublev, Feofan Grek? These organizations have always been built on the principle of maximum secrecy - because they dealt with professional secrets that outsiders should not have known. By the way, the word "artel" appeared in the Russian language quite late, and initially the guilds in Russia were called "teams".
If we talk about para-Masonic organizations, then there were such in Russia - just look at the old Russian cathedrals to make sure that they were built with the greatest skill and skill. Naturally, they were built not by "self-taught nuggets", but by well-trained specialists. On the connection between Russian builders and European lodges of "free masons", Sinelnikov and I are now writing a book "Secrets of Russian Cathedrals: Freemasonry in Pre-Petrine Rus'". This book will open your eyes to many secrets of Russian history. Will readers see Masonic symbols on the coats of arms of Russian cities, and learn about what European alchemists did at the court of the first Romanovs?
In general, it seems a serious mistake for historians to consider Russia a country where savagery flourished before the age of European enlightenment. Of course, the peasantry was backward - but after all, cathedrals were being built, and huge stone buildings, and handicraft flourished ... And all this was impossible without a guild structure, a structure of guilds. Not to mention the fact that in the 18th century the society of Russian Rosicrucians - Novikov and others like him - had a huge impact on the formation of Russian society.
At the same time, a huge layer of Old Believers and sects ranked among them can be considered a "secret society". Of course, they did not copy the Western structure of secret societies, but created their own, on a typically Russian ideological foundation. Sometimes, of course, this degenerated into some kind of savage sect, but basically the Old Believers - with their secret structure, mutual "fraternal" support, identification marks - can be considered analogues of the "Russian Freemasons". In general, the Old Believers are still waiting for their researcher-conspiracy theorist - it will be very interesting if this very broad social movement is studied not from the point of view of religious studies, but from the point of view of cryptosociology - as a Russian secret society.
There is an opinion that Ivan the Terrible created the oprichnina as a kind of closed knightly order, something similar to the order of the Jesuits in Catholic Europe. Many factors point to this. But, firstly, secret societies are still not created only by decree "from above" - a powerful ideology must always lie in their foundation. And secondly, the creation of the Russian "knightly order" was prevented by the mental characteristics of the tsar himself.
RJ: Many people who were members of various secret societies played a prominent role in Russian history. Some major events like the murder of PaulI, the Decembrist uprising, the February Revolution - the vast majority (if not all) of their participants were in secret societies. Is it possible to talk about a line of development, a line of changes into which secret societies are pushing Russia, about a real conspiracy that has specific (albeit global) goals? Is it possible to say that secret societies are trying to control Russia?
A.R.: Of course no. But it's very good that you remembered the Decembrists - this is a classic example of a typically Russian secret society. Moreover, which is characteristic, it had before its eyes classical European models - that is, it advocated "freedom, equality and fraternity." But one must always take into account the real historical context. That is, I do not rule out that in the event of the victory of the Decembrists, we would have received what we had after the October Revolution, only a hundred years earlier. And given the subtlety of the educated stratum in Russia at that time, the Decembrists' coup could well result in a Russian revolt, about which Pushkin had already said everything.
What about "Masons" February Revolution, then I always put this word in quotation marks. The "Great Orient of the Peoples of Russia" - the Russian lodge, which included many prominent politicians of that time who made up the Provisional Government - was "irregular", that is, unrecognized, even in relation to the Grand Orient of France - the French lodge, from where these people drew Masonic authority . And the Grand Orient of France is itself irregular in relation to world Freemasonry. In addition, I had to read the rituals of the "Great Orient of the Peoples of Russia" - and I can safely say that these were people who "played" in Freemasonry, just as they later "played" in politics. In general, it is unlikely that any organization, even a very powerful one, such as the German General Staff, can fully control what is happening in the country. By the way, here is another example of a typically Russian secret society - the Bolshevik Party, which Lenin himself called "the Order of the Sword-bearers of the Revolution." It's wrong to say that German General Staff used the Bolsheviks - rather, this secret organization of the Bolsheviks used the money of Germany to come to power.
RJ: What is the position of Western secret societies on the attitude towards Russia, especially strong Russia. Is it possible to speak about the existence of an anti-Russian conspiracy in the West?
A.R.: Secret societies are not primarily involved in politics, they are engaged in mysticism. And of course, there is no anti-Russian conspiracy in the West. Today, all the secret organizations represented in Russia want only one thing - that there should be enough democracy in Russia for the existence of traditional orders. Another thing is that Russia, as the experience of the 1990s showed, is not always ready to use democracy correctly.
RJ: Why is there no Russian conspiracy?
A.R.: Quite simply - for the lack of a great idea that some Russian secret society could promote.
I hear talk all the time about Great Russia, but I would like a clearer definition of what this "greatness" will consist of. More territories? So today there is enough space. What in general, it will be necessary, relatively speaking, for the "Russian secret society"?
First of all, a goal should be formulated, rather global, but at the same time specific. Let's say the European "Order of Zion" wants to transfer power in Europe and the Holy Land to the legendary descendants of Jesus. Freemasons, at least theoretically, dream of the Temple (although in modern Freemasonry the idea of rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem has become rather speculative). The hyperzionist movement "Bead Arzeinu" dreams of a Greater Israel from the Nile to the Euphrates, that the revived Jewish tradition would once again become driving force development of mankind.
When the "Russian idea" is clearly formulated, then it will be possible to talk about modern Russian secret societies, and then about the "Russian conspiracy."
The 19th century in Russia can be called the "age of secret societies." The ideas of the thinkers of the Enlightenment, which formed the basis of the French Revolution, albeit to a much lesser extent than in Europe, also penetrated the Russian Empire.
The first years of the emperor's reign Alexander I, who ascended the throne in 1801, were marked by expectations of change among the advanced part of Russian society. To a certain extent, the Secret Committee could also be called a "secret society", which included close associates of the young monarch, who discussed projects of various reforms with him.
Expectations, however, did not materialize. Over time, the policy of Alexander I became more and more conservative, which is largely due to the fight against Napoleon, which represented the changes made in Europe by the French Revolution.
But if the emperor revised his views, then the young Russian nobles, infected with the ideas of freethinking, were not going to abandon them. Disillusionment with the possibility of "reforms from above" led to the creation of secret societies in which the possibilities and methods of change in Russia were discussed.
Emperor Alexander I. Source: Public Domain
"Union of Salvation"
On February 9, 1816, a secret political society was established in St. Petersburg, called the Union of Salvation. This society is considered the first major organization of the Decembrists.
The founders of the organization were members of two previously existing associations - the Sacred Artel and the Semyonovskaya Artel. These circles united young nobles, mostly guard officers, who stood up for the approval of the basic law in Russia - the Constitution. Among the organizers of the "Union of Salvation" were Prince Sergei Trubetskoy, as well as guards officers Alexander Muraviev, Matvey And Sergey Muravyov-Apostles. The movement was also joined by new members who were not part of pre-existing organizations, in particular, Pavel Pestel.
In 1817, the Society adopted a charter ("Statute"), drawn up by Pavel Pestel. According to the charter, the Union of Salvation was renamed the Society of True and Faithful Sons of the Fatherland. The goals of the society were proclaimed the destruction of serfdom and the replacement of autocracy with a constitutional monarchy. The majority intended to achieve these goals peacefully, through pressure on public opinion. A minority advocated an armed conspiracy and even regicide. A radical disagreement regarding the methods of achieving the goals led to a split and the dissolution of the organization.
Pavel Pestel. Source: Public Domain
"Prosperity Union"
In 1818, the former members of the Union of Salvation create a new organization called the Union of Welfare. The organization included more than 200 members. The goal of the Union of Welfare was proclaimed Christian education and enlightenment of the people, assistance to the government in good undertakings and mitigation of the fate of the serfs. Those members of the society that were included in the asset - "Indigenous Council" - were entrusted with the real goal, which was the elimination of serfdom and the establishment of a constitutional order.
Despite the fact that the society was considered secret, it was known to Emperor Alexander I, who was even familiar with the charter of the organization - the so-called "Green Book". Until 1821, he was loyal to him, remembering his own views at the beginning of his reign. However, then, against the background of the next revolutionary upheavals in Europe, Alexander I ordered to stop the activities of all Masonic lodges and secret societies in the country.
The Union of Prosperity, by that time faced with new serious contradictions among the members of the organization, decided to dissolve itself. At the same time, the most trusted members were told that the organization would continue, but with a smaller number of participants.
"Northern Society"
The collapse of the Union of Welfare led to the creation of two Decembrist secret societies at once - the Northern in St. Petersburg and the Southern in Kyiv.
The "Northern Society" in St. Petersburg, which was considered more moderate, headed Nikita Muraviev. The leader of the society created the so-called "Constitution of Nikita Muravyov". According to her, Russia was to become a federation of 13 powers and two regions. new capital was named Nizhny Novgorod, the bicameral "People's Council" was to act as a legislative body. The state system of Russia was supposed to be a constitutional monarchy, the head of the executive power was declared the emperor, whose powers were significantly curtailed. The "Constitution of Nikita Muravyov" assumed the abolition of serfdom, declared freedom of speech, assembly, religion, and also affirmed the principle of equality of all citizens before the law.
The "Northern Society" organized and carried out an armed uprising in St. Petersburg on December 14, 1825.
After the defeat of the uprising and the shooting of the rebel regiments from guns, 61 people from the "Northern Society" were put on trial. Two members of the "Northern Society" - Kondraty Ryleev And Petr Kakhovsky— were hanged. The leader of the "Northern Society" Nikita Muravyov was sentenced to 20 years in hard labor.
Carl Kolman. "Decembrist revolt". Source: Public Domain
"Southern Society"
The leader of the more revolutionary "Southern Society" was Pavel Pestel, who drew up his own draft Constitution, called "Russian Truth".
Pestel saw Russia as a single and indivisible republic, consisting of 10 regions. Pestel also proposed to make Nizhny Novgorod the capital. The supreme legislative power belonged to the unicameral People's Council, which approved the executive power - the Sovereign Duma, consisting of five people.
Russkaya Pravda assumed the elimination of serfdom, the partial redistribution of arable land in favor of the peasants, the equality of all citizens before the law, freedom of speech, the press, religion, and the elimination of the estate system.
As a way to achieve the goal, the leaders of the "Southern Society" considered a military coup. It was supposed to seize power in the capital, forcing the emperor to abdicate the throne.
The "Southern Society" was preparing an armed uprising in the middle of 1826, but already in the autumn of 1825 the plans of the conspirators became known to the government. The unsuccessful performance of the "Northern Society" in December 1825 forced the "southerners" to act immediately.
On December 29, 1825, members of the society raised an uprising in the Chernigov regiment. Unlike St. Petersburg, it dragged on for several days, but ended in a similar way - on January 3, 1826, the rebels were defeated by troops loyal to the government.
37 members of the "Southern Society" were brought to trial, of which three - Pavel Pestel, Sergey Muravyov-Apostol And Mikhail Bestuzhev-Ryumin— were hanged.
Of the 4,000 soldiers who were ordinary participants in the armed uprisings of the Decembrists, a combined regiment was created, sent to fight in the Caucasus.
"Cyril and Methodius Brotherhood"
The defeat of the Decembrist movement only temporarily dampened the activity of people dissatisfied with political system Russia. Circles of freethinkers continued to emerge, despite the extremely harsh measures taken by the authorities in relation to even those who did not harbor revolutionary ideas.
In 1845, at the initiative of the historian, poet and publicist Nikolai Kostomarov The anti-serfdom secret society "Cyril and Methodius Brotherhood" was created. It united students and teachers of Kyiv and Kharkov universities.
Nikolay Kostomarov. Source: Public Domain
The brotherhood was based on Christian and pan-Slavic ideas and set the task of liberalizing political and cultural life in Russian Empire within the framework of the pan-Slavic union of peoples.
The planned all-Slavic federation was to include Ukraine, Russia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Serbia and Bulgaria. The supreme legislative power was to belong to the bicameral Sejm, the executive power to the president. The society intended to achieve the realization of its political ideals by peaceful reformist means.
Cyril and Methodius promoted freedom, equality, fraternity as the basis of a new society. Concrete measures to achieve this were seen in the abolition of serfdom, the elimination of legal differences between classes, and the availability of education for workers.
The secret society consisted of 12 members, one of which was a Ukrainian poet and artist Taras Shevchenko.
The society existed for about two years, and in 1847 it was defeated by the gendarmes on the denunciation of one of the students. The leader of the society, Kostomarov, was sent into exile, Shevchenko was given to the soldiers, the other members of the brotherhood were also subjected to prison sentences and exile.
Taras Shevchenko. Source: Public Domain
Petrashevtsy
One of the most high-profile cases of secret societies in Russia in the middle of the 19th century was the “case of the Petrashevites” - participants in regular political discussions that took place from 1844 in the house Mikhail Butashevich-Petrashevsky.
The Petrashevites were not a revolutionary organization in literally In other words, it was rather a debating club in which political literature banned in Russia was studied and ideas for reforming society were discussed. The participants in the discussions used the Petrashevsky library, part of which were books banned in Russia on the history of revolutionary movements, utopian socialism, and materialist philosophy. Butashevich-Petrashevsky himself advocated the democratization of the political system of Russia and the liberation of the peasants from the land.
The Petrashevites included young writers, the most famous of which is Fedor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky.
In 1848, at the initiative of Petrashevsky, the participants in the discussions began to discuss the possibility of creating a real secret society pursuing revolutionary goals, but it was not possible to form it due to serious disagreements between the participants. This fact was also recognized by the investigation in the “case of the Petrashevites”.
After the uncovering of the association, 40 people were arrested, half of whom were brought to a military court. “A handful of absolutely insignificant people, mostly young and immoral, dreamed of the opportunity to trample on the most sacred rights of religion, law and property,” the court documents said.
All defendants were sentenced to death penalty- shooting; but, taking into account various mitigating circumstances, including the repentance of all the defendants, the court considered it possible to petition for a reduction in their sentence. The punishment was indeed reduced, but the condemned themselves were not informed about this.
On December 22, 1849, a mock execution took place on the Semyonovsky parade ground in St. Petersburg. The convicts went through all the death procedures, three were blindfolded and tied to a pole. Only at the last moment was the lights out, and the verdict was read out in its final form. Petrashevsky was sentenced to indefinite hard labor, Dostoevsky received 4 years of hard labor, followed by promotion to the rank and file. Other members of the society received lesser sentences. At the same time, the staging of the execution seriously affected the psyche of the Petrashevites, some of whom later suffered from mental illness.
“The rite of execution on the Semyonovsky parade ground”, drawing by B. Pokrovsky, 1849.
Original taken from ev_chuprunov in Secret Societies in Russia: Truth and Myths
"The sleep of reason produces monsters," Spanish proverb.
A person has a craving for everything mysterious and incomprehensible. At all times and epochs, man has been drawn to knowledge. And from time to time there were people who claimed to have this knowledge.
Orphics, Cathars and Albigensians, Rosicrucians and Freemasons... The list goes on and on.
These people were credited with the possession of power, strength and power, the ability to influence ongoing events and construct them.
And is it really so? I bring to your attention an article by conspiracy theorist Yuri Kondakov.
In the XVIII - early XX century, a wide range of secret societies of various kinds operated in Russia. These include sects, Orders, Masonic lodges, political organizations. In addition, at various times in Russia there were secret societies, whose members hid their activities because of their inconsistency with moral standards. These included the “Evin Club” that existed under Catherine II and the “Pigs” society under Alexander I. Undoubtedly, similar organizations were active at the beginning of the 20th century. Clubs, student and trade unions could have a secret character. However, there is no need to talk about any of their influence on politics. Secret nationalist organizations that fought for the independence of the various peoples of Russia stand apart. Political tasks were set by the Orders of the Templars, Rosicrucians, Jesuits, and revolutionary organizations. On the worldview statesmen could have been influenced by their long-term participation in Masonic lodges and sects. It is these secret organizations that will be at the center of this essay.
Under the conditions of the monarchy, influence on the country's politics could be achieved by influencing the emperor and major government officials. There was another way - organization social movements or creating certain moods among the masses. Revolutionary organizations, some sects and religious societies followed this path. Masonic lodges and Orders used both methods in their practice. The results of this activity in Russia are to be assessed.
The growth in the number of secret organizations in Russia began in the second half of the 18th century. At this time, a number of "national" sects appeared in Russia - Dukhobors, eunuchs, whips. Although some of the sects, such as the Doukhobors, may have been organized by Quakers, they had no further connection with the outside world. Their followers set themselves purely religious tasks and acted in the lower strata of society. At the same time, Alexander I, who favorably treated the sectarians, personally visited the head of the eunuchs, Kondraty Selivanov. Persons from the emperor's entourage were part of the sect of N.F. Tatarinova, who practiced elements of the practice of whips. At a certain stage, the indulgence of the authorities led to the expansion of the influence of sects. A somewhat different situation developed in Russia around sects, which included German subjects, who often held prominent positions. Hernguters played a significant role in this respect. In 1764, Catherine II donated a house in St. Petersburg to sectarians who came to Russia, they also received land on the Volga (the colony of Sarepta). At Moscow University, the Hernguters acted simultaneously with the Rosicrucians. Hernhuter I.I. Wiegand recalled that he was hired by the university under the patronage of the Rosicrucian I.G. Schwartz, who, before his death, expressed a desire to become a Hernhuter. was a political opponent of the Minister of Spiritual Affairs and Public Education A.N. Golitsyn. The clash happened precisely on religious grounds. IN last years During the reign of Alexander I, a number of major officials were members of the sect of I.E. Gossner, which operated in St. Petersburg. At the beginning of the century, the society of "spirit seers" "People of God" in the capital was formed by Count T. Leshchits-Grabyanka. Although he himself was arrested and died in prison, one of his followers - Prince A.N. Golitsyn - continued the meetings of the society. Quite unexpectedly, the Grabyanka Society or the People of God continued its work under Nicholas I until the natural death of its members. Despite the fact that the above-mentioned sects were of foreign origin and involved large officials in their ranks, their members did not set themselves political tasks. There could be no talk of any unity of the sectarians. Each direction considered only itself "God's chosen ones" and criticized competitors.
A different picture is presented by political organizations pursuing revolutionary goals. One of the first to enter the Russian arena were the Decembrist organizations "Union of Salvation", "Union of Welfare", "Northern" and "Southern" societies. Their task was to change the political system in the country through a military coup. During the reign of Alexander II, the largest revolutionary organizations were "Land and Freedom", "Black Repartition", "People's Reprisal". IN late XIX century, underground political parties appeared in Russia, aiming to overthrow the monarchy. In a number of cases, opposition political movements received support from abroad. The theory has already become a classic, according to which a common control center stood behind the revolutionary organizations. Most often, the guiding force is called Masons.
Masonic lodges, the Orders of the Templars and the Rosicrucians began to operate actively in Russia from the middle of the 18th century. Standing apart was the Order of the Jesuits, whose goal was to protect the Catholic Church, including from Masons. The Jesuits infiltrated Masonic organizations and tried to impose Christian dogma on them. Until now, there is an opinion that the Jesuits were involved in the creation of the Orders of the Neo-Thamliers and the Golden Rosicrucians. The Jesuits also took part in political intrigues. In 1762, the Order was banned in France, and in 1767 the King of Spain announced the abolition of the Order. Catherine II allowed the Jesuits in the territory of the Russian Empire to continue their work. The Jesuits tried to influence political situation in Russia under Paul I and Alexander I. According to legend, on the day before the assassination of Paul, the Jesuit General Gruber did not have time to sign a decree with him subordinating the ROC to the Pope. It is believed that before his death, Alexander I sent his adjutant Michaud de Boretour to the Pope for the same purpose. However, the increasing seduction of the Orthodox into Catholicism led to the fact that in 1815 the Order was expelled from the capital of the Russian Empire, and in 1820 from the country. At this time, the Pope had already resumed the activities of the Jesuits in Europe. They wrote many anti-Masonic writings. The largest of these were the works of Augustin Barruel (1741-1820) - "The Voltairians, or the story of the Jacobins, revealing all the anti-Christian malefactors and sacraments of Masonic lodges that have an impact on all European powers" in 12 volumes and their abridged version - "Notes on Jacobins, revealing all anti-Christian evil intentions and the sacraments of the Masonic lodges, which have an influence on all European powers”, translated and published in Russia. Most likely, the Jesuits compiled a document that was kept in the archives of Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich. He was cited in his article “Decembrist Freemasons” by Semevsky: “Freemasons should increase and multiply in the shadow of a secret and repeat terrible oaths about the right to take revenge even with a weapon for breaking a promise to keep it, but in society a rule should be set that they do not do anything contrary to the law of religion and mores. And this secret of the greatest importance should be kept only in a lodge of the 5th degree, composed of only architects, intended to manage and restore the building of Solomon's temple. Everyone else will be told only that in our society it is especially advised to provide assistance and mercy to each other. How plausible this passage from an unknown Masonic document will be seen from what follows. overview History of Masonic Lodges and Orders.
The Masonic movement that came to Russia in the 18th century was never united. Fierce competition reigned between the various currents. In Russia, in its development, the Masonic systems followed in the European mainstream. The first Russian lodges worked according to the "English" system under the leadership of I.P. Elagin. Their work passed only in three degrees, were simple and practically not documented. The foreign lodge, from which work permits and installation documents were obtained, controlled only the compliance of the work with the Masonic charters. Yelagin did not receive any orders from abroad.
The "Swedish" system, brought in 1777 by A.B. Kurakin, had a strong influence on the situation in Russian Freemasonry. Her arrangement was reminiscent of "strict surveillance" and also included the grades of the Knights Templar. At the time when the "Swedish" system came to Russia, its head, Duke Karl of Südermanland, entered into an agreement with the system of "strict supervision" and became the grand master of a number of provinces (he reformed the "Swedish" system along the lines of "strict supervision"). Following this, the duke announced that Russia was subordinate to the Swedish province he headed. Russian lodges were required to report on their work, transfer funds and appoint foreigners to leadership positions. In 1780, the Duke of Südermanland led the Swedish fleet in the war with Russia. The contacts of Russian Freemasons with Sweden provoked the indignation of Catherine II. Police checks of lodges began, some of them had to close. Feeling the fragility of their position, the leaders of the three lodges of mothers of different subordination, A.P. Tatishchev, N.N. Trubetskoy and N.I. Novikov, agreed in Moscow to get rid of Swedish rule. The actions of the Duke of Südermanland were also dissatisfied in Germany. Duke Ferdinand of Brunswick, head of the Scottish lodges of the "strict surveillance" system, announced the convening of a Masonic convention in Wilhelmsbad to discuss the further development of the system. The convention was originally scheduled for 1781, but took place in the summer of 1782. The Russian "brothers" of the united three lodges of mothers sent I.G. Schwartz to Berlin, who convinced F. Braunschweigsky to represent their interests at the convention. Despite the fact that the Wilhelmsbad Convention ruled that the Templars were not the founders of Freemasonry, and established new system, the "Swedish" system in Russia continued to exist intermittently in Russia until the ban of lodges in 1822.
Portrait of Nikolai Novikov (artist D.G. Levitsky). 1790s
At different times, other systems operated in Russia - "Melissino", "Reicheleva", "amended Scottish charter". Despite the fact that each of them was popular in its time, they had no consequences for the Russian Masonic movement and were no longer practiced in the 19th century (with the exception of individual lodges). The situation was completely different with the "Rosicrucian" system brought by I.G. Schwartz from Berlin in 1782. The order of the golden and pink cross appeared in Austria and Germany in the middle of the 18th century. Its leaders claimed that their brotherhood had been operating secretly since ancient times and was known in Europe under the name of the Rosicrucians. The order had a complex structure and was associated strict discipline. The main occupation of the Rosicrucians was alchemy, but they also had political goals. The Order assumed that in 1856 the Second Coming should take place and it was necessary to prepare the world for this event. The Rosicrucians tried to draw the crowned heads into their ranks, enter their circle and direct policy. In 1782, the center of the Order was in Berlin, headed by the Prussian Freemasons J.H. Welner, J.R. Bischofswerder and J.H. Teden. It was they who supervised the new Russian section. Instructions, directives, informational messages flowed from Berlin to Russia. Soon the Russian branch of the Order was headed by Baron G.Ya. Schroeder sent from Berlin. In a short period of time, the Rosicrucians were able to establish control over most of the Russian lodges and came into contact with the heir to the throne, Pavel Petrovich. Such activity frightened Catherine II, and repressions fell upon the Russian Freemasons. In 1786, following an unspoken ban by the empress, almost all the lodges stopped working. However, the Rosicrucians did not obey the ban and continued their meetings in a "close circle". The result in 1792 was the arrest of their leaders and the imprisonment of N.I. Novikov in the Shlisselburg fortress.
After 1822, only the Rosicrucians continued to work in Russia. Their Moscow group lasted until the beginning of the 20th century. There were no major officials and politicians among the Rosicrucians of that time, so they could only exert a moral and cultural influence on society. In the second half of the 19th century, Masons appeared among Russians who were initiated in European countries. In 1906-1910, with the approval of the Grand Orient of France, lodges opened work in Russia. This Masonic organization proclaimed an orientation towards the protection of liberal values, the fight against autocracy and admitted atheists into its ranks. Most of the Russians who joined the ranks of Freemasons (mostly professors) did not want to be actively involved in revolutionary work, limiting themselves to moral quests. For this reason, the radical leaders of the movement in February 1910 announced the euthanasia of the Masonic lodges in Russia. As a result, only 37 people out of 97 Freemasons entered the new organization "Great East of the Peoples of Russia". The cadet N.V. Nekrasov became the head, in the new lodges they used a simplified ritual, made political reports and discussed political issues. Everything related to the “preparation by the Masons of the February Revolution” cannot yet be documented. It is believed that already in 1916 they prepared the composition of the new government. The "Great Orient of the Peoples of Russia" united diverse political forces under its leadership. The military, grand dukes, writers, socialists were members of various lodges at the leadership level. Taking advantage of the collapse of the autocracy, the Freemasons managed to bring their own people (some of the members of the Provisional Government) to power in Russia. Further collapse followed. I would like to note that, unlike the Bolsheviks, the Masons did not cooperate with the Germans, the enemies of Russia. On the contrary, they were staked by the allies, who were interested in Russia continuing the war (and no less in ensuring that Russia was not among the victorious countries). However, it was the Freemasons, and not the Bolsheviks, who did everything to end the monarchy. I would like to believe that these people were blinded by hopes for a new democratic future for the country and overestimated own forces. Until the early 1930s, disparate Masonic groups continued to exist in the USSR, until the OGPU put an end to them.
From the beginning of the 18th century, Freemasonry began to spread in Europe. From the very beginning, this caused a negative reaction from the official churches and monarchs. In 1738, Pope Clement XII issued an edict against Freemasonry. Catholics were forbidden to join lodges under pain of excommunication. In subsequent years, Freemasonry was banned in Spain (1740), Portugal (1743), Austria (1766), in the latter case, the ban also applied to the Rosicrucians. Despite the repressive measures, the European aristocracy continued to actively participate in the work of Masonic lodges. The fashion for Freemasonry became so stable that European monarchs took part in the movement, and sometimes even tried to lead it. In Sweden, the Duke Karl of Südermanland (later the Swedish king) became the head of the Freemasons. In Prussia, Frederick II's brother, Duke Ferdinand of Brunswick, led the Scottish lodges of the strict observation charter. In France, the Duke of Orleans, Louis-Philippe I, became the great master of the "Great Orient of France". The Rosicrucians made the "biggest acquisition". They managed to attract the heir to the Prussian throne, Friedrich Wilhelm II, who in 1786 became the Prussian king, into the order. The leaders of the Rosicrucians Welner, Bischofswerder, Du Bosac became the ministers of the new government. Their reign was short-lived and unproductive. After the death of the king in 1797, they lost their positions, and with them their influence on politics.
Similar processes took place in Russia. Under Elizabeth Petrovna, the government turned its attention to the Masonic lodges and waged a fight against them. However, already Peter III, as a zealous follower of the Freemason Frederick II (an outstanding statesman and military leader), opened a lodge in Oranienbaum. The reign of the new emperor did not last long, and Catherine II, who removed him from the throne, undertook an investigation into her husband's Masonic activities (it is not known how it ended). The Empress must have been unpleasantly struck by the fact that the associate of lieutenant V. Mirovich A. Ushakov turned out to be a freemason (who drowned in the river and did not take part in the attempt to free Ivan Antonovich). It seems that it is no coincidence that in the first years of the reign of Catherine II, Russian Masons were headed by her protege and confidant I.P. Elagin. At first, the Empress treated the Freemasons calmly, especially since the “enlighteners” she loved were also in the lodges. Everything changed when high-level systems began to come to Russia. Already in the directives received by the Russian Freemasons from Charles of Südermanland, it was ordered to pay special attention to the heir to the throne, Pavel Petrovich, it was supposed to elect him the head of the Russian Freemasons. The empress was not going to pass the throne to her son. Major Freemasons were those close to Pavel Petrovich A.B. Kurakin, N.I. Panin, N.V. Repnin. The head of the "Phoenix" chapter, Beber, in his note on Freemasonry, said that the "Swedish" system aroused the suspicions of Catherine II. She ordered the publication in Russia of a French satirical pamphlet about Freemasons, The Repugnant Society. Then the chief police chief, himself a freemason, advised the "brothers" to close their lodges. The leaders of the “Swedish” system A.B. Kurakin and G.P. Gagarin were removed from St. Petersburg.2
The end of the 18th century became the scene of a fierce struggle between supporters of various Freemasonry systems. There is no need to talk about any general management of secret organizations during this period. The exposure of the Order of the Illuminati caused a special resonance, as a result, its name became a household name. Even in the 19th century, Russian Rosicrucians warned their followers about the intrigues of the Illuminati. A striking example of the struggle among the Freemasons is the message of the Rosicrucian lodge "Frederick to the Golden Lion" to the Wilhelmsbad Convention in 1782. The "Brothers" attacked their former comrades, who had broken away from the Rosicrucians and created their own Order of the Knights of the True Light. The Rosicrucians called the "knights of light" "satanic disciples, copying God in their miracles." They were convinced that the “knights of light” would infiltrate the convention and interfere with its work.5 Another example is IP Yelagin’s comments about the followers of the “Carlsbad system” (as he called the Rosicrucians). The main accusations against the "Carlsbad system" were the following: the self-interest of its members, superstition, the involvement of high-ranking officials, and the prohibition of Masons from other systems from joining lodges. Among characteristic features of the society of I.G. New Testaments, to open schools where "brothers" teach. Elagin compared the "Carlsbad system" with the Order of the Jesuits.6 The rhetorician of the "Three Banners" lodge, I.F. Vigelin, subjected the order in the Rosicrucian lodges to severe criticism. In a letter to an unknown person, he condemned the hypocrisy and self-interest of the "brothers". “Now the brothers were prescribed prayer, fasting, mortification, and other exercises. Dreams, superstitions, miracles, folly around the adepts became the order of the day. Reason was rejected, war was declared on it; those who clung to him were pushed aside and even persecuted with hatred. The most vulgar, most absurd tales were being circulated; the air was saturated with the supernatural; they only talked about the appearance of ghosts, divine influence, the miraculous power of faith,” wrote Wegelin.
After the exposure of the Order of the Illuminati, the leadership of the Rosicrucians in Berlin sent out orders that the secret ciphers, passage words and slogans of the first three degrees of the Order fell into the hands of the Illuminati. In addition, some Rosicrucians crossed into the ranks of the Illuminati, passing on the secrets of the Order to them. It was prescribed for all those who would use the old ciphers and signs to be considered Illuminati and to be torn out of communication. Anyone joining the Order of the Illuminati was to be expelled from the Rosicrucian Order.8
Very typical for covering the topic of the influence of secret societies on politics is the situation with Freemasonry in the reign of Paul I. After his accession, first Yu.N. M. M. Kheraskov received the same rank in 1796. I.P. Turgenev was appointed director of Moscow University and State Councilor. I.V. Lopukhin became a State Councilor and Secretary of State. S.I. Pleshcheev was promoted to vice admiral and appointed to be under the emperor, N.V. Repnin became field marshal general. Z.Ya.Karnaev and A.A.Lenivtsev received promotions. The Rosicrucian M.M. Desnitsky was made presbyter of the court church in Gatchina. Most of all, the new reign affected the fate of N.I. Novikov, M.I. Bagryanitsky and M.I. Nevzorov. The former were released from the Shlisselburg fortress, and the latter from the lunatic asylum. However, the characteristics of the personality of Pavel Petrovich did not allow the Masonic movement to unfold again and the Rosicrucians to fully revive. F.V. Rostopchin recalled that, realizing the danger of Masons, he took advantage of a trip in the emperor’s carriage and “opened his eyes” to the Order. He talked about the connections of the Martinists with Germany, their desire to kill the empress and selfish goals. “This conversation dealt a mortal blow to the Martinists,” Rostopchin declared.9 It is difficult to believe such a report, since Rostopchin's “Note” bizarrely intertwined empty rumors and real facts. The “Note on the Masons of the Special Office of the Ministry of Police” indicated that Pavel Petrovich, having arrived in Moscow for the coronation, gathered the leaders of the Masonic lodges and demanded that they not gather until his special command.10 The Masons obeyed the will of the emperor, but the Rosicrucians began to revive the lodges even murder of Pavel Petrovich.
During the reign of Catherine II, among the Russian Freemasons were major government officials. According to G.V. Vernadsky, the Imperial Council in 1777 included four Masons, and in 1787 - three. Freemasons were in the Senate and the court staff (1777 - 11 chamberlains, in 1787 - six). 11 The lodge included high-ranking military men, such as S.K. Greig and N.V. Among the Freemasons there were many representatives of the titled nobility and officials of the “middle hand”. It is necessary to mention the curator of the Moscow University M.M. Kheraskov, the chairman of the Moscow provincial criminal chamber I.V. Lopukhin, the commander-in-chief in Moscow Z.G. Chernyshev, who served under his command S.I. Gamaleya and I.A. Pozdeev. These people could provide protection to the Masons, but they did not have enough strength to influence big politics.
The authorities tried to control the activities of the Masons. Police checks in lodges are known in 1780 and 1786. During the investigation, N.I. Novikov spoke about attempts to introduce police agents into the lodges. It was about accepting an official of the secret office V.P. Kochubeev (the future Minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs V.P. Kochubey) as a Freemason. “There was no search on our part or any intention at this, I truly say, as before God, there was no; but we thought that he was ordered to do this by the commander-in-chief, in order to know what was happening in our boxes ... By this very guess, we decided to introduce him to all the degrees that depended on us to give, so that he could see and know everything, ”showed Novikov.12 Thus, the imaginary police agent was introduced to the fifth degree of the "Theoretical degree of the Solomonic sciences."
Iosif Alekseevich Pozdeev. Engraving by an unknown author
A completely different situation developed in Russia during the reign of Alexander I - during the "golden age" of Masonic lodges. At this time, lodges of the "French" and "Swedish" systems were widely spread. Freemasonry became a fashion, and the nobles en masse entered the lodges. The Rosicrucians were still the most active. Information about their attempts to influence officials has been preserved. I.A. Pozdeev became the Masonic mentor of the Razumovsky brothers (A.K. Razumovsky - since 1810 the Minister of Public Education) and subjugated the young leaders of the Masons S.S. Lansky and M.Yu. Vielgorsky. I.V. Lopukhin for some time took care of M.M. Speransky, N.I. Novikov and A.F. Labzin led D.P. Runich. Among the advice given by the Rosicrucians to their wards, we see mainly moral recommendations. Politics mentors concerned only in the case when it came to the situation in Freemasonry. For example, in 1810, when the reform of the Masonic lodges was being prepared and A.K. Razumovsky joined the Committee developing it, Pozdeev gave him appropriate recommendations. Pozdeev was afraid of the official permission of the lodges, since random people could “gush” into Freemasonry en masse. He dreamed of the tacit resolution of Freemasonry and the creation in Moscow and St. Petersburg of two independent centers management - Provincial lodges. However, the reform was never carried out. The rivalry between the two leaders of the Rosicrucians - N.I. Novikov and I.A. Pozdeev - did not allow the Order of the Golden and Pink Cross to be fully restored in Russia.
Alexander Nikolaevich Golitsyn. Portrait by K. Bryullov. 1840
The closest friend of Alexander I, Prince A.N. Golitsyn, was involved in the "Avignon Society". For a decade, the freemason R.A. Koshelev became the ideologist of reforms in the spiritual sphere. With his direct participation in Russia, events were carried out that are very reminiscent of the actions of the Rosicrucian ministers in Prussia. The English "Bible Society" was attracted to Russia. Membership in it has become almost mandatory for officials. In 1817, the Ministry of Spiritual Affairs and Public Education was established, headed by A.N. Golitsyn, who received the nickname "extinguisher of education." the main problem lies in the fact that no one was able to prove the fact of the adoption of A.N. Golitsyn as a Freemason, and R.A. Koshelev, after his entry into power, had no Masonic connections. Golitsyn was the ideal executor of the emperor's will. He tried not to interfere in the affairs of the Russian Orthodox Church and took care of improving the welfare of the clergy and raising its prestige. There are cases when Freemasonry served as an obstacle to the career of persons who served under Golitsyn. So D.P. Runich did not get the position of director of the department, since it turned out that he was a member of the Dying Sphinx Lodge.
The October Manifesto of 1905 opened the possibility of legal party and parliamentary activity in Russia. Under the conditions of the World War Russian society managed to introduce the idea that the country cannot win under the rule of Nicholas II. Opposition to the monarchy has developed in almost all sectors of society (especially in the politicking "elite"). However, it was very difficult for the liberal Duma leaders, the generals, the grand dukes and socialists, who equally desired the fall or change of the monarch, to unite and work out a common line. It was possible to find a point of contact for heterogeneous political forces thanks to Freemasonry. Until now, there are disputes whether the "Great East of the Peoples of Russia" was a regular Masonic lodge. This organization was actually devoid of ritual, the "brothers" pursued political goals, no documentation was kept. The network of lodges that united groups of Russians of different social, professional and political affiliations made it possible to coordinate the activities of the opposition.14
Masons-Duma leaders were guided by the political program of the parties to which they belonged, the military were in a completely different position. The very critical situation required them to leave the political struggle until the conclusion of peace. However, generals M.V. Alekseev, N.V. Ruzsky, A.S. Lukomsky played a central role in the abdication of the emperor. In the event that these people were participants in the conspiracy, their act has no justification. It seems that membership in Masonic lodges played a key role in political struggle period of the Provisional Government. “Dual power” was artificially maintained in the country until A.F. Kerensky became the head of the government. At a certain moment, this leader ceased to suit the “brothers”, and then the persons united by the “February conspiracy” - M.V. Alekseev, A.M. Krymov, N.V. Nekrasov, united against him. They used L. G. Kornilov to remove the unpopular head of government from power and cleanse Petrograd of socialist elements.15 The failure of their enterprise predetermined the coming to power of the Bolsheviks.
The influence of Freemasonry on Russian society is visible to the "naked eye". N.I. Novikov, A.F. Labzin, M.I. Nevzorov and other lesser-known Masonic publishers and translators did a lot to promote and disseminate Masonic ideas. At the end of the XVIII early XIX and XX centuries, Masonic literature was actively introduced in Russia, and after that, the fashion for Freemasonry also spread. A.S. Pushkin became a vivid example of such influence. Just before the prohibition of Freemasonry, he joined the Ovid lodge, which had not yet received official permission to work. Obviously, the influence on the work of the "sun of Russian poetry" was made not by fleeting participation in the lodge, but by a circle of friends where Masonic motifs were fashionable. Anti-Masonic literature also had an impact on society. Already with late XVIII the thesis of a worldwide Masonic conspiracy began to spread in Russia. In some respects, such propaganda also drew attention to Freemasonry as to a phenomenon. Masons have traditionally been distinguished by wide religious tolerance (in the 18th - early 19th centuries in relation to various areas of Christianity). It led some of them to sects.
It is easy to see that when the English lodges of I.P. Elagin came to Russia, they practically had no influence on society. Things went differently after the establishment of the Orders of the Templars and the Rosicrucians. They established lively contacts with foreign centers, tried to attract officials and the heir to the throne. At the beginning of the 19th century, conspiratorial revolutionaries took advantage of the Masonic movement, and the result was the uprising of the Decembrists. In the third coming of Freemasonry to Russia, it already had a bright political connotation and, according to some researchers, became the basis of a conspiracy that led to a coup d'état.
To the layman, the Masonic movement often appears as one. In fact, as in the 18th and XIX centuries, and today there are many directions that do not recognize each other. By their constitutions, regular lodges (of three degrees) should not be concerned with political and religious matters. Until the beginning of the 20th century, this was the case in Russia. However, such restrictions were not imposed on themselves by members of organizations adjacent to Freemasonry - irregular lodges and Orders. It was they who most often participated in the political struggle. The political activity of regular Freemasons was not connected with their Masonic activity. Each of them was guided by his own calculations and reasons in his official activity. The one who joined the lodge already had established views, and further “works” allowed him to develop in the desired direction (“Freemasonry makes good people better"). Those who did not like the Masonic “works” could leave the lodge as a bad experience and no longer remember this page of their life. In other words, Masons-officials were free in their political activity. The legends that M.I. Kutuzov missed Napoleon from Russia due to his Masonic sympathies or Admiral P.S. Nakhimov (whose Freemasonry is not confirmed) on the instructions of the Masonic "center" deliberately lost Crimean War are a funny anecdote. In fact, during the hostilities, the Masons could pick up and save the wounded "brother" of the enemy (as was the case with G.S. Batenkov), but this is no longer a political, but a moral step.
