The article traces an unusual life trajectory of Russian peasant Vassily Bourov who became a protégé of all-powerful Over-Procurator of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church Konstantin Pobedonostsev and came as an Orthodox missionary to America. This relationship between an obscure psalm reader and one of the pillars of the Russian Empire serves as a prism into the life of Russian clergy in America and Pobedonostsev’s own role as a curator of the Aleutian and Alaskan diocese who played an active part in its activities. The Over-Procurator reveals his unexpected side of a caring benefactor of the Russian clergy in the United States.

The article presents an analysis of the decline of traditional values in the USA and European Union as demonstrated by recent developments in redefinition of marriage and family. The author describes intellectual and political debates between liberal opponents and conservative defenders of traditional values. The main trend in his view remains growing secularization and liberalization of social life leading to further decline of traditional values. The article also focuses on the efforts of Russian diplomacy and the Russian Orthodox Church to defend and promote traditional values within international organizations.