In the 18th century in Russia there was a religious and social movement called the Old Believers, or split.The reason it began the reform Nikon, the Patriarch of Moscow, which he began in 1653 to strengthen the church.Their essence is to unify the entire country of theology.Firstly, the reform Nikon's planned spending through the elimination of absolute differences in the conduct of ceremonies.Also, it was necessary to eliminate the discrepancies in the books of the moments that were used in the commission of worship.There were some zealots of faith led by Avvakum and Daniel, who believed that the church reforms of Patriarch Nikon should be carried out, based on the ancient Russian scriptures.Patriarch insisted on following the model adopted in Greece.In his opinion, such a step would facilitate the unification of all Orthodox churches of Asia and Europe at the beginning of Moscow.
reforms Nikon supported the king.This explains the insistence of the patriarch and his confidence in his actions.Soon he was appointed a Council of Bishops of the Russian land, which recognized the need for immediate rectification of rites and church literature.The second convocation, which, except for saints of Russia, also arrived and Serbian patriarchs of Antioch, took place in 1656.It corrected the books were fully endorsed.Church were commanded to use them in the service, and the former burn.
first steps were made in 1653.Then all the churches were ordered to make some changes in the rite on the bows, the imposition of the cross.Printing House began releasing a book on the new model.Defenders of the old rites declared heretics and anathematized.
Changing some moments Creed happened after his check with an analog adopted in Greek churches.But dissenters reforms Nikon categorically refused to accept.For them it meant to betray the faith of ancestors, traditions, observe the centuries.Innovations Old Believers were perceived as an attack on something untouchable and sacred.Followers Nikon, on the contrary, believed that these reforms will help the church get out of the impending crisis.Such a move was politically motivated and.The role of Russia as the successor to Byzantium and protector of all Orthodox could not be realized, if she had not agreed to their books and rites with those standards that are accepted in other Orthodox countries.
Finally nikonianami affirmed the correctness of the path chosen after reunification with Little Russia.
church schism and its consequences had more unexpected nature than the expected patriarch and his supporters.The confrontation took place massively reform.Old Believers were persevere their beliefs.They accused Nikonians that those announcing former heretical, thus questioned the correctness of the canonization of saints in Russia and the decisions adopted at the Hundred Chapters cathedral, that is all that was the basis of faith.
However, the conflict was not only due to the reform of the patriarch.Impact and social problems.Believers worried fall church authority, due to the fact that the king was playing the role of God's deputy on earth began to actively participate in addressing the issues that used to be the responsibility of only the clergy.They accused the new, ignorant clergy that it corrupts people, oppressed, and removes from himself.
gone into schism no less - one-third of the state's population.And after the Council, held in 1666-1667, respectively, decided to exile and executions of opponents of reform, it has acquired a mass character.Despite the repressive measures taken by the authorities, after Archer rebellion in 1682 increased the number of Old Believers.Instead of strengthening the new company brewing unrest.Nikon solved this problem defrocked and departure into exile leaders split.
But soon suffered and the patriarch himself.The intrigues of the boyars ruined his relationship with the king.In 1658, Nikon voluntarily imprisoned himself in the Resurrection of the monastery, and after eight years on him in a court in which the Patriarch defrocked and sent to Belozersky monastery for repentance.
And, nevertheless, it's still defenders of antiquity did not go up the mountain, even after opals main reformer.The same Council, who judged Nikon, condemned and philosophising dissenters, calling them heresy and anathema.
