This article examines the main milestones in the formation of the Anthroposophical Society in pre-revolutionary Russia. The focus is on individuals and organizations associated with esoteric trends in Russian culture of the Silver Age, in particular, supporters of the teachings of R. Steiner, Margarita Sabashnikova, Anna Mintslova or Andrei Bely. The article explores, taking into account R. Steiner's ideas about the fate and mission of Russia, the reasons for the success of anthroposophy among a large number of Russian cultural figures from symbolist and near-symbolist circles (theosophists, Musaget publishing house, etc.). In this context, special attention is paid to the significance of the lectures delivered by R. Steiner specifically for Russian listeners in Helsingfors in 1913. Some materials from Margarita Sabashnikova's personal archive in Dornach, Switzerland, are being published for the first time.