In the establishment of absolutism, the church reform of Peter 1 played an important role. The position of the Orthodox Church of Russia in the second half of the 17th century was quite strong. At that time, she was able to maintain administrative, judicial and financial autonomy in relation to the royal power. The policy pursued by the last patriarchs of the church was aimed at strengthening these positions. It's about Joachim and Adrian.
Church reform of Peter 1: briefly about the main thing
From this reform, funds were squeezed to the maximum for various government programs. During the reign of Peter, first of all, funds were needed for the construction of the fleet (the so-called "kumpanism"). After the Russian Tsar travels as part of the Grand Embassy, his new problem is the complete subordination of the Russian Church to the royal power.
Peter's church reform started after Hadrian's death. Then the tsar issued a decree on conducting an audit in the Patriarchal House, where it was necessary to rewrite all the property. According to the results of the audit, the king cancels the next election of the patriarch. For the post of "locum tenens"of the Patriarchal Throne" Metropolitan of Ryazan Stefan Yavorsky is appointed Tsar of Russia. In 1701, the Monastic order was formed, according to which church affairs were managed during this period. Thus, the church loses its independence from royal power, as well as the right to dispose of church property.
The enlightening idea of the good of society, which requires the productive work of the whole society as a whole, launches an offensive against monasteries and monks. The church reform of Peter 1 is, among other things, limiting the number of monks, which is noted in the royal decree issued in 1701. In order to obtain permission to be tonsured, it was necessary to apply to the Monastic order. Over time, Peter has an idea in the monastery to create shelters for the poor and retired soldiers. Peter the Great issued a decree in 1724 according to which the number of monks in the monastery directly depends on the number of people they have to look after.
The relations that developed between the church and the royal government, the result of which was the Church reform of Peter 1, required a new design from a legal point of view. A prominent figure in the era of Peter the Great, Feofan Prokopovich, drew up in 1721 the Spiritual Regulations, which provided for the destruction of the patriarchal institution and the creation of a new body called the Spiritual College. After some time, the official administration in the rights of the Senate changed its name to the "Holy Government Synod." It was the creation of the Synod that became the start of the absolutist period inhistory of Russia. During this period, all power, including church power, was in the hands of the sovereign - Peter the Great.
Church reform of Peter 1 turned the clergy into government officials. Indeed, during this period, even the Synod was overseen by a secular person, the so-called chief prosecutor.
