According to the explanatory dictionary of S. I. Ozhegov, this is a man of a different faith, a different religion. D. N. Ushakov calls a heterodox a person belonging to a different faith. The new dictionary by T. F. Efremova uses the following interpretation: "He who professes a different - usually compared to the dominant - faith, religion."
The meaning of the word "Gentiles"
The dominant religion of the Russian state for more than a thousand years has been Christianity, or rather, its eastern direction - Orthodoxy. Orthodoxy (Greek α½Οθοδοξία) - correct glorification. Accordingly, representatives of other faiths (associations of believers) for peoples professing Orthodoxy, non-believers.
In the process of forming a multinational state, a tolerant attitude was laid towards the bearers of other religious beliefs. However, the attitude of the state was not always as loyal.
Representatives of Non-Christian Doctrines
Gentiles are, first of all, non-Christians and Basurmans, that is, representatives of faiths that have no relation to Christianity.
The large Jewish community has always been limited in rights. In the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich, every Jew who converted to Orthodoxy was rewarded. Peter I rejected requests for Jews to enter Russia. His wife, Catherine I, issued a decree on the eviction of Jews to empty border areas. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, there were restrictions on the education of Jews in higher education. It was impossible to take public office. The Jewish population was subject to additional taxes, they were forbidden to trade and lend money.
The situation of Muslims (Basurman) in Russia was also not favorable. Initially, Muslims were forbidden to hold positions in the field of education, in the public service. Christian norms, contrary to the dogmas of Islam, were simply imposed. Catherine II changed the situation by legitimizing the right of Muslims to polygamy.
Distributed among Kalmyks and Buryats, Buddhism was recognized as tolerant. Catherine II controlled the Buddhists through their chapter, approved personally by the Empress. In the 19th century, authorities continued their policy by limiting the number of Buddhist monasteries.
Catholics and Protestants in Russia
Peter I attracted foreigners and did not infringe on their rights. Catherine II changed her political course by issuing a decree ordering Catholics to convert to Orthodoxy. Her son, Paul, being a member of the Order of Malta, was sympathetic to Catholics. Liberal positions were also held by her grandson, Alexander I. The uprising of 1830-1831 that arose on the territory of annexed Poland changed the situation. The use of language and Catholic education were limited, and monasteries were closed.
Ivan the Terrible invited doctors, artists and merchants professing Protestantism to Muscovy. Alexei Mikhailovich patronized the representatives of the denomination, giving them military and administrative posts. Peter the Great laid the foundation for marriage between members of the royal family and noble Lutheran Europeans.
Catherine II continued the tradition. Protestants were granted freedom of religion, exemption from military service, and tax privileges.
Old Believers, who were called schismatics (from the word "schism"), were not considered criminals, but were oppressed. Restrictions were applied to sectarians: whips, Molokans, Dukhobors, etc. The activity of such religious entities was prohibited by criminal law.
A Gentile is another, alien, not always understandable and has equal rights with Orthodox Christians.