Social Functions of Religious Institutions in the Contemporary Urban Environment: the Experience of Russia and China

Introduction. In urban settings, religious communities remain significant actors in social life. They foster a sense of belonging, offer moral guidance, and create spaces of care and solidarity. This article explores how religious institutions are integrated into the fabric of metropolitan life in Moscow and Shanghai, and what social functions they perform under the conditions of digitalization, individualization, and fragmentation of urban experience. The aim of the study is to identify mechanisms through which religious organizations adapt to contemporary urban challenges. The scientific novelty lies in the comparative analysis of religious activity across two distinct cultural and political contexts.

Methodology and sources. The theoretical framework draws on the works of É. Durkheim, R. Bellah, R. Cipriani, and P. Berger, who conceptualize religion not only as a social institution, but also as a space of spiritual and emotional co-experience. The empirical basis includes legal documents, parish reports, and sociological studies from 2018 to 2023.

Results and discussion. The study identifies three main functions of religious organizations: support for vulnerable groups (through aid, education, and guidance), social integration (through cultural events, volunteering, and educational initiatives), and behavioral regulation (through the transmission of ethical norms and symbols of predictability). These functions are not always explicit but are often embodied in everyday practices – food distribution, silent prayer, or collaborative work.

Conclusion. In both cities, religion acts as a living mediator between the personal and the collective. It sustains forms of closeness that are increasingly rare in the urban landscape. This everyday presence makes religious institutions resilient and enduring actors in the modern metropolis. 

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