Abstract. The article analyzes the creative discourse about the fate of tsarist Russia in the last period of its existence, which concerned the three main parts of its official ideology – autocracy, the orthodox faith, and the national essence and was associated with the problem of socio-cultural development of the country. The discussion focused on issues of faith and reason, the church and spiritual renewal, the purpose of culture and art, national self-determination, war and peace, freedom and revolution.

Key words: Russian Empire, culture, social thought, religion, creative community, revolution.