This article reviews and gives brief characteristics to the three stages of progression of the religio-philosophical heritage of Nikolay Ivanovich Pirogov. The return of the famous Russian surgeon to the Orthodox faith after rejecting his materialistic convictions is directly tied to his most signifi cant practical and scientifi c achievements. His worldview is defi ned as a fusion of science and religion. His religio-philosophical views are evaluated in the context of the history of Russian and Soviet medicine. Plans for future expanded study of the religio-philosophical heritage of the “First Surgeon of Russia”.