Bibliography in French devoted to the Russian religious piety, to foolishness for Christ in particular is in many respects based on works by the Russian Orthodox community. The life and creative development of Elisabeth Behr-Sigel (1907−2005), the French researcher who adopted the Russian Orthodoxy and studied history of the Orthodox church and the Russian theology are the most vivid example of the thesis. Her study of the Russian spirituality based on G. Fedotov's conception, has not lost its relevancy for French readers up to now.

The Russian Catholicism emerged in the first half of the 19th century as a result of Jesuit missionaries’ activities, predominantly French, among the Russian aristocrats who were convinced in importance of changes and Russia’s necessity to join the European cultural tradition based on the Catholicism. Preaching in Russia was a component of the policy Holy See pursued in the 19th century. In the mid 19th century the religious discussion intensified against background of the confrontation between Russia and France over future of Poland and influence in the Balkans. During the Crimean war propaganda of the both opponents had the religious tinge. Catholic and Orthodox writers accused each other in the schism of the Church and were unwilling to take steps aimed at rapprochement, even though they admitted the necessity of reconciliation.