Peter I remained in the history of our country as a radical reformer who turned abruptly turn the life of Russia.In that role with him is matched only by Vladimir Lenin and Alexander II.Over 36 years of independent rule of autocrat government not only changed its status from the realm of the Empire.Change all spheres of national life.The reforms affected everyone - from the homeless to the gentleman from Petersburg under construction.
not stood aside and the church.With infinite authority among the population, this organization has been marked by conservatism and inability to change and interfere with the growing power of Peter.Stagnation and commitment to the traditions of the priests did not prevent the Emperor to make changes in the religious circles.The first is, of course, the Orthodox Synod.But it would be wrong to say that this change over.
condition of the Church on the eve of the reforms
reforms of Peter 1, in short, were caused by a variety of problems in society.This applies to the Church.XVII century was marked by constant uprisings, including on religious grounds.Father Peter - Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich - he faced with Patriarch Nikon, who spent many reforms affecting some Christian rites.This aroused the indignation of the people.Many did not want to throw the faith of their fathers and as a result were accused of heresy.Splittism still exists today, but in the XVIII century, the problem is felt particularly acutely.
key issue was the distribution of power between the king and the patriarch.This applies, for example, the monastery land and the eponymous order (ie ministries), which attempted to regulate the management of the clergy.Such intervention angered secular authority of the Patriarch, and the conflict also remained open at the time of his accession to the throne of his son Alexis.
Drinking Peter's Church
In fact, during the reign of Peter 1 in religious matters to continue the policy of his father.The point of view of a new autocrat largely shaped by secular education, as well as the priests of the Kyiv Metropolis, which was annexed to the Moscow Patriarchate in 1688. In addition, he was far removed from the ideals of the Christian life and, moreover, had to travel the Protestant Europe, where the relationshipclergy have been organized according to the new templates created after the Reformation.For example, it should be noted that the young King watched with interest the experience of the English crown, where the monarch is the head and all the local Anglican Church.
supreme ecclesiastical authority under Peter 1 at the beginning of his reign - patriarchy, which still has more power and autonomy.Monarch is certainly not pleasant, and he wanted to subdue the one hand all the higher clergy directly itself, but on the other hand - regarded with distaste the prospect of visiting Moscow on his own Pope.Guardian of the throne of St. Paul does not recognize on a someone else's power.Also sought, such as Nikon with Alexis.
first step of the young king in relations with the Orthodox clergy, a ban on the construction of new monasteries in Siberia.The decree is dated 1699 year.Immediately after, the Great Northern War with Sweden, which is constantly distracted by Peter clarify relations with Orthodoxy.
Create title locum tenens
When in 1700 Patriarch Adrian died, the king appointed locum tenens of the patriarchal throne.They became the Metropolitan of Ryazan Stefan Yavorsky.Successor Adrian were allowed to deal only with "matters of faith".That is heresy, and to engage in worship.All other powers were divided between the patriarch orders.This relates primarily to economic activity in the lands of the Church.The war with Sweden to be a long, state resources are needed, and the king was not going to leave the "priests" extra money.As it turned out, this was a prudent step.Soon the parish bells began to send to the smelter for the new guns.The highest ecclesiastical authority under Peter 1 did not resist.
Mestobljustitel had no independent authority.On all important matters he had to consult with other bishops, and all reports are sent directly to the sovereign.At the time of the reform have been frozen.
At the same time increased the value of the monastic order.In particular, he was instructed to take control of the ancient Russian tradition - begging.Fools and begging were caught and taken to the order.And punishes those who gave alms, regardless of rank and position in society.As a rule, such a person receives a penalty.
Create Synod
Finally, in 1721, it was created by the Holy Synod.At its core, it has become an analogue of the Senate of the Russian Empire, which was responsible for the executive power, being the highest organ of the state, directly subordinate to the emperor.
Synod in Russia meant positions such as president and vice president.Although they were soon canceled, but such a move could not be better shows the habit of Peter I used the practice of ranking, that is, to create new grades, having nothing to do with the past.The first president was Stefan Yarovskaya.Neither the authority nor the power he enjoyed.Vice President oversight function.In other words, it was the Auditor General, who informed the king of everything that was happening in the department.
Other positions
There was also the position of the chief prosecutor, which regulate the relationship with the new structure of the company, and also had the right to vote and lobby interests of the crown.
As secular ministries, in the Synod were their spiritual fiscals.Their sphere of influence was all spiritual activity in the country.They monitored the implementation of religious norms, and so on. D.
As noted above, the Synod was created as an analogue of the Senate, and thus constantly in contact with him.Links between the two organizations has become a special agent who delivered the reports and was responsible for the relationship.
responsible for what Synod
Responsibility Synod included as a case of the clergy, as well as issues related to the laity.In particular, the highest ecclesiastical authority under Peter 1 had to enforce Christian rites, eradicating superstition.It is worth to say about education.Synod under Peter 1 was the final authority responsible for the textbooks in various educational institutions.
White clergy
On the proposal of Peter the secular clergy had become an instrument of the state, which will affect the masses and follow his spiritual condition.In other words, it was produced by the same clear and regulated class as the nobility and the merchant class, with its objectives and functions.
Russian clergy throughout his previous history is distinguished by its accessibility to the public.It was not a caste of priests.On the contrary, there could come almost anyone.For this reason, in the country there was a surplus of priests, many of which have ceased to serve in the parish and became vagabonds.These servants of the Church called "sacral".The lack of regulation of the environment, of course, was something out of the ordinary in the days of Peter 1.
input and strict regulations, according to which the priests had only praise the new reforms of the king.Synod under Peter 1 issued a decree obliging the confessor to inform the authorities if a person admitted in the confessional of a state crime, or blasphemy against the crown.Indomitable punishable by death.
Church Educational
have been numerous revisions, checkers formation of the clergy.Their result was a massive deprivation of dignity and the reduction of class.The highest ecclesiastical authority under Peter 1 entered and codified new rules receiving priesthood.Also, now every parish could have only a certain number of deacons, and no one person more.In parallel with this procedure has been simplified out of their office.
Speaking of church education in the first quarter of XVIII century, it should be noted active open seminaries in the 20s.New educational institutions have appeared in Nizhny Novgorod, Kharkov, Tver, Kazan, Kolomna, Pskov and other cities of the new empire.The program included eight classes.There the boys were taken to the primary school.
Black clergy
Black clergy also became the object, which were sent to the reforms of Peter 1. In short, life changes monasteries reduced to three goals.Firstly, their number has been steadily declining.Secondly, it restricts access to dignity.Third, the remaining monasteries were to receive practical purpose.
reason for this attitude was the monarch's personal hostility to the monks.This was largely due to the child's experiences in which they were rebels.In addition, the emperor was far hermit lifestyle.Fasting and prayer he preferred to practice.It is not surprising that he was building ships, working as a carpenter, and monasteries are not loved.
Wanting to these institutions bring some benefit to the state, Peter ordered to redo them in hospitals, factories, schools and so on. D. But the life of the monks greatly complicates.In particular, they were forbidden to leave the walls of native abode.Absences severely punished.
Results of church reform and its further destiny
Peter I was a staunch supporter of the state and, according to this belief did the clergy cog in the overall system.Considering himself the sole bearer of power in the country, he deprived the Patriarchate of any power, and eventually completely destroyed the structure.
After the death of the monarch's many excesses reforms were canceled, but the general contours of the system continued to exist until the revolution of 1917 and the coming to power of the Bolsheviks.Those, incidentally, in his anti-Catholic propaganda actively used the image of Peter I, praising his desire to subjugate the Orthodox state.
