The topic of this article is very important and relevant today due to a rapid process of the revival of neo-paganism not only in Russia but in other countries as well. While in Western countries the problem of neo-paganism worsened sharply in the 50-60s of the twentieth century, in the Soviet Union such organizations started to appear en masse since the end of the 80s of the last century. And in 90s there were people who wrote in the genre of folk history. This study is relevant as it considers the problem of the activity of prolofic writers belonging to neo-paganism of the relatively recent past and present. This article focuses on the people who do not belong to any pagan community, even treating them negatively, but share a pagan worldview and devote many books to it. These books are very popular and can be found in most conventional bookstores. The article analyzes the genre of folk history. The biographies are described briefly with reference to scientific regalia. It is mentioned that the scientists are engaged in research which is not in their field of competence. Pseudoscientific theories about history and language are discussed in detail. In conclusion, it is emphasized that modern pagans are usually busy not reconstructing ancient beliefs and finding the lost heritage of their ancestors, but inventing illiterate hoaxes in order to create a name for themselves.

Isaichev Sergei Andreevich, Master of Theology, Deacon, Science Degree Seeker, Department of Theology, Saint-Petersburg Theological Academy, 17, Obvodnoy kanal emb., Saint-Petersburg, 191167, Russian Federation, e-mail: mr.duakon@mail.ru

1. Abrashkin A.A. Arijskie korni Rusi. Predki russkih v Drevnem mire [Aryan roots of Russia. Russian ancestors in the Ancient world]. Moscow, Yauza Publ., Eksmo Publ., 2009, 480 p. (in Russian)
2. Beskov A.A. Yazychestvo Vostochnich slavian [Paganism of the Eastern Slavs. From ancient to modern times]. Nizhny Novgorod, Minin Nizhny Novgorod State Pedagogical University (Minin University), 2015, 123 p. (in Russian)
3. Demin V.N. Таiny russкоgо nаrоdа [The secret of the Russian people]. Moscow, Vеchе Publ., 2006, 352 p. (in Russian)
4. Karamzin N.M. Istoria russkogo gosudarstva [History of the Russian state]. Moscow, Nauka Publ., 1998, vol. 1, 640 p. (in Russian)
5. Kuznetsov M.N. Rossijskoe neoyazychestvo. Istoriya, ideii, mify [Russian neopaganism. History, ideas, and myths]. Ryazan, Grain Is The Word Publ, 2018, 176 p. (in Russian)
6. Kuraev A., deacon. Dary I anafimy [Gifts and Anathemas]. Moscow, Moscow Metochion Of The Holy Trinity Sergius Lavra, 2001, 443 p. (in Russian)
7. Gavrilov D.A., Ermakov S.E. Severnaia tradicia. Sviachennyi ostrov Ruian [The Northern Tradition. The sacred island of Rujan]. Moscow Socio-political thought Publ., North wind Publ., 2008, 324 p., ill. (in Russian)
8. Shizhenskiy R.V. Filosofia dobroi sily. Gizn’ i tvorchestvo Dobroslava [Philosophy of good power: the life and work of Dobroslav (A.A. Dobrovolsky)]. Penza, Scientific and Publishing Center “Sociosphere», 2012, 218 p. (in Russian)
9. Shnirelman V.A. Russkoe rodnoverie: neoyazychestvo i neonazionalizm v sovremennoi Rossii [Russian rodnoverie: neopaganism and nationalism in modern Russia]. Moscow, Publishing House of BBI, 2012, 302 p. (in Russian)