>>64166346
Orthodoxy is like spiritual moonshine for people coping with the soulessness of the modern world. They're attracted to the aesthetics and rituals. In the Orthodox world in the 19th century this also happened but people tended to form sects like the Old Believers or totally strange cults like the Skoptsy who castrated themselves:

>The so called “radenya” (joyous gatherings) could be compared to the ancient mysteries, were in fact collective orgies. They started from ritual dancing, self-flagellation, undressing. Then, with a rising rhythm and intensity of a dance, they would culminate in copulation of a group with a “Bogoroditsa.” Diametrically opposite approach was practiced by the sect of “skoptsi.” The right to enter the sect of “skoptsi” was gained and preceded by macabre ritual of castration: “malaya pechat” (small seal)-when the balls of man were cutted out. Some more demanding natures were not satisfied by degree of asceticism and renunciation of the world and more complicated operation was required: the complete elimination of genitals: or “belaya pechat” (white seal). The sect of “skoptsi” gained in 19th century popularity among the Russian aristocracy. The head butler to Alexander I, Count Elanski, “Skopets” himself, even went so far as to propose to Tsar a bizarre project of making entire Russian administration members of sect “skoptsi.” On the ground that “skoptsi” is natural aristocracy of Russia, they are free of worldly emotions. Alexander I was outraged and sent Elanski in eXile, but famous aristocratic salon of countess “Tatarinova” was infected with a “Khlisti,” “Skoptsi,” “flagellants” and others. Decembrist revolutionaires and Pushkin himself frequented “Tatarinova.” According to some sources, Pushkin was flagellant.
https://exiledonline.com/limonov-files-whips-castrations-%E2%80%94-a-guide-to-russian-cults/