Why does a religious text from the 16th century continue to influence modernity? The lecture on John Calvin will reveal unexpected facets of humanist thought, reformist ethics, and political ideas that changed the face of Europe. The lecture on John Calvin as part of the seminar "List of Brodsky" will allow us to view the figure of the reformer not just as the author of a dry theological treatise, but as an intellectual who influenced the entire Western civilization. His work "Instruction in Christian Faith" is not only a cornerstone of Protestant theology but also a crucial work of the humanist era that shaped ethical, cultural, and political orientations for centuries to come. Together with the lecturer - journalist and psychologist Alexey Raiman - participants will explore how Calvin's theology helped lay the foundations of democratic institutions, how ideas about covenant and free will transitioned into the political thought of the modern era, and why, according to Max Weber, Calvinism became the engine of capitalist ethics. Where to go in St. Petersburg can be found on our website.