Circle of the Cretan brothers

After the Decembrist uprising, a difficult time came. There was a “awakening" of society, a comprehension of the past and present of Russia, the history and culture of the country.

The main centers for the development of Russian philosophical thought were circles of like-minded people who were opposed to the policies of Nicholas I. Thanks to the circles, students could discuss the issues of literature and philosophy that worried them. Some associations were anti-government in nature.

The circle appeared in 1827 , it was one of the earliest.

The Cretan brothers and other members of the circle considered themselves followers of the Decembrists. Mikhail Cretan admired the Decembrists , was categorically against the monarchy. The members of the circle even came up with a special seal with the inscription "Liberty and death to the tyrant", her imprint was found on one of the documents. Young people advocated the creation of a constitution, they believed in the need for revolution and uprising of the masses, as well as the assassination of the king. They believed that a revolution is possible only with the active participation of the people.

The circle was opened and defeated at the very beginning of its existence in 1827. By personal order of Nicholas I, all members of the circle were arrested. Vasily and Mikhail Kritsky were sent to the prison of the Solovetsky Monastery , where Vasily died. Michael and Peter were later demoted to soldiers.

• Sungurov's Circle
• Herzen-Ogarev Circle
• Stankevich’s circle

• M. A. Maslin and others. History of Russian philosophy: Textbook. for universities / Editorial: M.A. Maslin et al. - M.: Republic, 2001
• Political processes of the Nikolaev era; Decembrists; Processes of Kolesnikov, the brothers of Cretan and Raevsky ", Moscow, M. Sablin, 1907