Simeon of Polotsk: Orthodox? Basilian? Heretic? Religious Affiliation and the Politics of Interpretation

• In Event: Belarus I: Elusive Identities — Then and Now

Abstract

Religious affiliation in the 17th century among the educated elites of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was not only a spiritual matter but also a political one. This is particularly evident in the creation of the Uniate Church, which aimed to bridge the divide between Orthodoxy and Catholicism.


A key figure in this context is Simeon of Polotsk, whose religious identity has been widely debated both during his lifetime and in modern scholarship. Even today, discussions about his religious belonging often reflect broader questions of national and political identity.


This paper will examine:
1. Simeon’s self-identification in his own works – His signatures in books, where he appears both as a Basilian monk and a Orthodox hieromonk, and the debates about his religious status during and after his lifetime.
2. Historiographical debates – How scholars in the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries have interpreted his religious identity differently, often shaped by ideological and political influences.


Through an analysis of primary sources and modern research, this paper will explore how interpretations of Simeon’s religious identity have evolved over time and why this discussion remains relevant today. The study will contribute to broader conversations about religious and political identity in early modern Eastern Europe and the role of historical interpretation in shaping contemporary narratives.

Author

• Alesia Mankouskaya, U College London (UK)