The article commemorates the outstanding Russian scholar Mikhail Yurievich Smirnov (1955–2025). An attempt is made to establish his place in modern Russian religious studies. The author considers the “post‑Soviet transition” as a context of M. Yu. Smirnov’s formation as a scientist. He also gives a general sketch of Smirnov’s scientific position, his understanding of religious studies as a “vocation and profession” (M. Weber). The views of M. Yu. Smirnov are analysed: 1) his early interpretation of the Christian doctrine of war and peace in the context of scientific atheism; 2) his philosophy of religion, in particular, his proposed distinction between religion and mythology; 3) his sociology of religion, his introduced concept of “religious‑mythological complex” and its application to the analysis of the religious situation in modern Russia; 4) his concept of the history of Russian religious studies; 5) his “sociology of religious studies” — his proposed analysis of the situation in contemporary Russian religious studies, the concept of “religious studies environment”; 6) his journalism, especially his analysis of the concepts of “secularism” and “freedom of conscience”, 7) his understanding of the relationship between religious studies and theology. The article concludes that M. Yu. Smirnov was adhered to the ideals of the Enlightenment as the basis of his scientific activity and journalism.