Roerichism

The UN and the Banner of Peace—Symbol of Roerichism: the Pax Cultura, the true culture being the "Cult of Light", the "Light of Fire", the all-pervading Fire (Agni). Stamp, 1986

Roerichism or Rerikhism[1] (Russian: Рерихи́зм, Рерихиа́нство, Ре́риховское движе́ние) is a spiritual, cultural and social movement that emerged in the United States in the first half of the twentieth century, though it has been described as a "thoroughly Russian new religious movement", due to its close connection with Russia.

The movement centers on the Neo-Theosophical religious doctrine of Agni Yoga, or the Living Ethics, transmitted by Helena Roerich and Nicholas Roerich. Agni Yoga draws ideas from Theosophy, Eastern and Western religions, Vedic and Buddhist traditions, molding them into Russian culture, too. Agni Yoga is the spiritual foundation of Roerichism.

This movement played a significant role in bringing knowledge of Asian religions to the Western world. Roerichism has an international following and has many thousands of adherents. Some international and regional organizations, whose activity is based on the ideas of Roerichism, arose many years after the death of all the members of the Roerich family.

  1. ^ Philip Walters. Religion, State & Society. Volume 28, Issue 1, 2000. Quote from the Editorial: "'Rerikhism' is an example of a thoroughly Russian new religious movement".