There is little scholarship dedicated to how Russian Old Believers view their sexuality, but it is essential to understanding their community's religious beliefs and practices. As an Orthodox Christian sect that has rejected reformist changes since the 17th century, they adhere strictly to traditional teachings about marriage, gender roles, and the family unit. Sexual morality plays a crucial role in guiding their daily lives and communal interactions.
There are significant variations between different groups of Old Believers regarding marriage customs and family values, which impacts how sexual behavior is perceived and practiced within their communities.
The first source I will examine is "Sex and Gender in Russia" by Natalia Meshchaninova, where she explains that Old Believer communities see sex as primarily procreative rather than recreational. The main goal of marriage is to produce children who can continue the family lineage and ensure the survival of the community. This means that premarital sex is seen as sinful and forbidden, and couples must wait until after marriage to have sexual relations. Once married, however, sex is considered a necessary part of married life but should be limited to procreation purposes. The idea is that every act of intercourse should be for the purpose of creating new life and not simply for pleasure or enjoyment. According to this viewpoint, sexual intimacy outside of marriage is a grave offense against God's laws and is punishable by excommunication from the church.
In addition to sexual morality, marital intimacy also plays a vital role in shaping ethical sexual behavior among Russian Old Believers. Married couples are expected to have frequent sex and maintain a healthy relationship through physical contact and emotional connection. While men are generally encouraged to initiate sexual activity, women play an active role in the bedroom, contributing to foreplay and pleasure. This emphasis on mutual satisfaction highlights the importance of communication between spouses about what they want and need in bed.
There is some variation between different groups regarding acceptable types of touching and kissing before marriage.
Some believe that any form of physical contact (except holding hands) is unacceptable before marriage, while others allow hand-holding and even hugging.
Another source I will examine is "Sex and Sexuality in Russia" by Irina Paperno, where she discusses how family values influence sexual behavior among Old Believers. Families with multiple children tend to place more importance on sexual activity within marriage than those with just one child. Mothers are expected to nurture their husbands physically as well as emotionally, ensuring that their needs are met so that they can focus on providing for the family.
Fathers are expected to be masculine and dominant figures who provide financial support for their families. These gender roles reinforce traditional notions of male and female power dynamics within the home and can affect how sexuality is expressed.
Religious law, sexual morality, and marital intimacy all work together to shape ethical sexual behavior among Russian Old Believers. Marriage is seen as a sacred institution meant to create new life and strengthen community bonds through shared experiences like sex. While premarital sex is strictly forbidden, once married couples must engage in frequent sexual relations to maintain a healthy relationship. The emphasis on procreation rather than pleasure means that every act of intercourse must serve a purpose beyond personal enjoyment, making it a spiritual experience rather than purely physical.
How do Russian Old Believer communities integrate religious law, sexual morality, and marital intimacy in shaping ethical sexual behavior?
Russian Orthodox Church has historically been a major influence on sexual norms and values of Russians due to its longstanding presence in the region and adherence to traditional beliefs and practices. The Russian Old Believers, an offshoot sect of Orthodoxy, continue to follow these traditions, although they reject some modern innovations such as marriage by priests and communion with other denominations.