The A.P. Shchapov’s concept of split of the Russian Orthodox Church is considered by authors from the point of view of the discourse analysis. It is a basic premise that historical knowledge can be considered both in accordance with its content, and from the point of view of the set of social experiences which produce this knowledge, normalize and support it, i.e. from the point of view of the discourse materializing the knowledge. Being included in a wider sociocultural field a discourse has certain social consequences along with knowing necessity. Relying on M. Foucault’s and A. Badyyu's works, the authors come to a conclusion that ethnic subjectivity as the ability of people to independently determine the sphere of self-determination, to show creative and pragmatic abilities making it possible to change both the world and themselves was a discourse consequence of A.P. Shchapov’s concept. At the same time origin and shaping of the historical concept was possible due to deep internal transformation of the author, that was manifested in public declaration of a civic stand, changing his life forever.