The article deals with the gradual, historical transformation of the phenomenon of the formation of the Russian idea as the basis of the concept of “Russian identity” from the 16th to the mid-20th century. The development of identity in the process of growth and development of the nation is accompanied by crises, overcoming which the phenomenon of identity can change its content as a result of the free choice of its carriers; then takes up the experience of this development, becomes enriched with new values and meanings, and thus a new content and understanding of the Russian identity crystallizes. The article contextualizes the development of the Russian idea from the original one by the Monk Philotheus (Moscow is the Third Rome) to Marxism (Bolshevism) analyzing the reasons of its adoption by the Russian public consciousness during a certain historical period. Critical analysis of this stage is based on the works of the famous Russian philosopher N. Berdyaev. The article studies the internal development, accumulation of the main ideas and contemporary understanding of the content of the Russian idea as one of the main aspects of understanding the Russian identity.