Today, there are about 2 million Old Believers in Russia. There are entire villages inhabited by adherents of the old faith. Many live abroad: in neighboring countries, southern Europe, in English-speaking countries and on the South American continent. Despite the small number, modern Old Believers remain firm in their beliefs, avoid contact with the Nikonians, preserve the traditions of their ancestors and resist “Western influences” in every possible way.
Nikon's reforms and the emergence of "schismatics"
Different religious currents that can be united by the term "Old Believers" have an ancient and tragic history. In the middle of the 17th century, Patriarch Nikon, with the support of the tsar, carried out a religious reform, the task of which was to bring the process of worship and some rituals in line with the "standards" adopted by the Church of Constantinople. The reforms were supposed to increase the prestige of both the Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian state in the international arena. But not all the flock took the innovations positively. The Old Believers are just those people who considered the “bookright” (editing church books) and the unification of the liturgical rite by blasphemy.
What specifically was done as part of the reform?
Changes approved by Church Councils in 1656 and 1667 may seem too minor to unbelievers. For example, the "Symbol of Faith" was edited: it was prescribed to speak about the kingdom of God in the future tense, the definition of the Lord and the oppositional union were removed from the text. In addition, the word "Jesus" was now ordered to be written with two "and" (according to the modern Greek model). The Old Believers did not appreciate it. As for the divine service, Nikon abolished small prostrations (“throwing”), replaced the traditional “two-fingered” with “three-fingered”, and “extra” hallelujah - “triguba”. The Nikonians began to hold the religious procession against the sun. Some changes were also made to the rite of the Eucharist (Communion). The reform also provoked a gradual change in the traditions of church singing and icon painting.
"Schismatics", "Old Believers" and "Old Believers": the difference
In fact, all these terms at different times denoted the same people. However, these names are not equivalent: each has a specific semantic connotation.
The Nikonian reformers, accusing their ideological opponents of splitting the Russian Orthodox Church, used the term "schismatic". It was equated with the term "heretic" and was considered offensive. Adherents of the traditional faith did not call themselves that, they preferred the definition of "Old Orthodox Christians" or "Old Believers". "Old Believers" isa compromise term coined in the 19th century by secular authors. The believers themselves did not consider it exhaustive: as you know, faith is not limited to rituals alone. But it so happened that it was he who received the most distribution.
It should be noted that in some sources "Old Believers" are people who profess a pre-Christian religion (paganism). It is not right. The Old Believers are, without a doubt, Christians.
Old Believers of Russia: the fate of the movement
Since the discontent of the Old Believers undermined the foundations of the state, both secular and church authorities subjected the opposition to persecution. Their leader, Archpriest Avvakum, was exiled and then burned alive. The same fate befell many of his followers. Moreover, in protest, the Old Believers staged mass self-immolations. But of course, not everyone was so fanatical.
From the central regions of Russia, the Old Believers fled to the Volga region, beyond the Urals, to the North, as well as to Poland and Lithuania. Under Peter I, the position of the Old Believers improved slightly. They were limited in their rights, they had to pay double taxes, but they could openly practice their religion. Under Catherine II, the Old Believers were allowed to return to Moscow and St. Petersburg, where they founded the largest communities. At the beginning of the 19th century, the government again began to "tighten the screws." Despite the oppression, the Old Believers of Russia prospered. The richest and most successful merchants and industrialists, the most prosperous and diligent peasants were brought up in the traditions of the "Old Orthodox" faith.
Life and culture
The Bolsheviks saw no difference between the New and Old Believers. The believers again had to emigrate, this time mainly to the New World. But even there they managed to preserve their national identity. The culture of the Old Believers is quite archaic. They do not shave their beards, do not drink alcohol and do not smoke. Many of them wear traditional clothes. Old Believers collect ancient icons, rewrite church books, teach children Slavic writing and Znamenny singing.
Despite the denial of progress, the Old Believers often succeed in business and agriculture. Their thinking cannot be called inert. Old Believers are very stubborn, persistent and purposeful people. Persecution by the authorities only strengthened their faith and hardened their spirit.
