The Pete Quiñones Show Reading Solzhenitsyn's '200 Years Together' w/ Dr Matthew Raphael Johnson - Part 76
Oct 4, 2025
Dr. Matthew Raphael Johnson, a researcher and former history professor specializing in Russian political ideology, joins to delve into Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's '200 Years Together.' They explore the Russian émigré literary scene, shedding light on the divide between monarchists and traditionalists in exile. Johnson reflects on the tragic fates of individual émigrés and discusses the impact of World War I on revolution. They also tackle the complexities of Jewish identities within this context, including the controversial narratives of Jewish roles in Soviet power dynamics.
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Maine Coon Kitten Interrupts The Show
- Matthew Raphael Johnson describes getting a purebred Maine Coon kitten named Susie Cream Cheese who joins his lap during the show.
- He emphasizes the kitten's large size and demanding personality as a humorous personal detail.
Exiles Spread Russian Orthodoxy Abroad
- Johnson notes Russian exile communities spread Orthodox faith and the Russian idea across the West.
- He argues many converts today trace their awareness of Russian Orthodoxy to that émigré revival.
Two Factions Among Russian Emigres
- Johnson recounts two main factions among Russian émigrés: liberal Masonic Parisians and traditionalist monarchists who formed the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad.
- He mentions Jordanville as the intellectual center for the traditionalists in New York state.
