"Notes of the Izborsk Club" by Ivan Okhlobystin, summary Automatic translate

The work was created primarily between 2014 and 2016. It captures the author’s ideological views against the backdrop of the large-scale political conflicts of the time. This frank apology for Russian imperialism is presented through the prism of the personal spiritual experience of an Orthodox priest and actor.

Membership in the Izborsk Club

Ivan Okhlobystin views his invitation to the Izborsk Club as a personal honor and a sign from above. He calls this community the intellectual citadel of Russian conservatism. The club’s activities are devoid of empty theory — it is a working union of thinking people capable of turning ideas into reality. He was educated on the works of Lev Tikhomirov, René Guénon, and Pyotr Stolypin. A harmonious blend of word and deed is a fundamental condition for maintaining a nation’s identity.

Okhlobystin considers his cinematic image beneficial to the country. He deliberately hides behind the image of a flamboyant actor. This method allows him to build a convenient system of communication with a mass audience, bypassing established social barriers.

Imperium concept

The author uses the term "Imperium." It’s a unique disciplinary way of thinking. A person weighs their actions against the personal benefit of their own soul and the global benefit of the Russian Empire. The full realization of absolute will is only possible within the harsh conditions of an imperial social structure. Okhlobystin openly identifies himself as a monarchist and a Russian nationalist. He is convinced that Russia has always been a true Empire, even during the Soviet Union.

In his manifesto, "Doctrine 77," the author identifies two fundamental national paradigms. The first is the organization of the people in church for prayer. The second is the organization of the people on the battlefield. Every adequate Russian inevitably becomes a warrior.

Conflict in Donbas

The events in eastern Ukraine occupy the lion’s share of the author’s reflections. Okhlobystin supports the Novorossiya volunteers and calls this region the main epicenter of resistance to global evil. As a shepherd, he blesses the fighters for the physical elimination of the fascist threat. He interprets the conflict as a direct clash between Christian virtue and satanic darkness. Okhlobystin thanks Ukraine for teaching Russians to be Russian again and for restoring forgotten chastity to the youth.

During his visit to Donetsk, the author presents the film "Priest-san." He meets with local residents and Commander Motorola. Okhlobystin donates church utensils to the Holy Transfiguration Cathedral. He organizes a targeted collection of humanitarian aid for the elderly and disabled in the Luhansk region.

Attitude towards the Western world

The Anglo-Saxon civilization, according to the author, sees the world upside down. Western society operates on the principles of monetarism and uncompromising social Darwinism. The West demands mathematical justice. The Slavic world seeks love. Okhlobystin calls for limiting contacts with Western countries to trade and religious exchanges. Ideological pressure from the West inevitably leads to bloodshed.

Okhlobystin acknowledges the existence of another, conservative Europe. God-fearing Europeans are capable of overcoming the mistakes of the past. They can unite around the values of the Russian World in a common struggle against the demonic influence of Western governments.

Totalitarianism and the right to bear arms

Okhlobystin imbues the term totalitarianism with positive connotations, citing the historical experience of the Tsardom of Muscovy. He appeals to the classic triad: conciliarity, sovereignty, and autocracy. Conciliarity is understood as the spiritual nature of society. Sovereignty is the shared responsibility of citizens. Autocracy is the absolute power of God’s Anointed One.

The author demands recognition of citizens’ right to own automatic weapons. He cites a quote about Colonel Colt: "A normal person should have a legal means of protecting their family." Okhlobystin accuses deputies who sabotage gun initiatives of cowardice before their voters. He proposes transferring weapons registration to military registration and enlistment offices.

Cinema and Society

Modern cinema is driven by money. Okhlobystin seeks a compromise between commercial entertainment and Christian pedagogy. The historical film "Tsar" by director Pavel Lungin sparked heated debate, but Okhlobystin gave his all to his role. He found it uncomfortable playing a villain. He felt relief when watching his character’s execution.

In the project "Priest-san," Hollywood actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa played the role of a Japanese priest who came to Russia. The immersion into the material proved profound — the Japanese priest voluntarily converted to Orthodoxy under the Christian name Panteleimon.

Family values

Meeting his wife, Oksana Arbuzova, shaped the author’s entire future. Their large family is raising six children: Anfisa, Evdokia, Varvara, Ioanna, Vasily, and Savva. Johann Sebastian Bach’s classical music is constantly playing at home. The children directly imitate their parents’ everyday behavior. The author values honesty in relationships and avoids domestic dictatorship. He often goes on thirty-kilometer walks and dreams of having a seventh child.

As a grim lesson, Okhlobystin tells the story of an old classmate, Taras. He borrowed a large sum of money for film equipment and disappeared to Kyiv. Years later, Okhlobystin visited his debtor. Consumed by paranoia, Taras began shooting wildly with a gun. The madman shot himself in the leg and accidentally burned his own house to the ground.

State strategy

Okhlobystin announces the imminent launch of the Raketa television channel. The project is conceived as a platform for the conservative segment of civil society. The channel is intended to operate without aggression, presenting secular news in a calm, patriotic tone.

The author firmly believes that Russia faces a protracted war. This difficult struggle will forever change the familiar reality. The final outcome will be the restoration of the monarchical system. The Russian nation desperately needs isolation to protect itself from destructive external influence. The state’s formula rests solely on the Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian army.