Russian Orthodox Old-Rite Church
Encyclopedia
The Russian Orthodox Old-Rite Church (or Russian Orthodox Oldritualist Church, Russian Orthodox Old-Ritualist Church) is an Eastern Orthodox Church
of the Old Believers
tradition, born from a schism
within the Russian Orthodox Church
following the liturgical reforms of Patriarch Nikon
in the second half of 17th century (Old Believers
). It is one of the two Old Believers
churches that belong to the Belokrinitskaya Hierarchy
- together with the Orthodox Old-Rite Church, sometimes also called Lipovan Orthodox Old-Rite Church
. The church is not recognised by the Patriarch of Constantinople
nor by those Orthodox Churches in communion with the Oecumenical Patriarch. It is thus considered to be independent of the group commonly regarded as the Orthodox Church.
Since the 18th century until the Council of 1988, the official self-designation of this Church was the Old Orthodox Church of Christ (Древлеправославная Церковь Христова) which should not be confused with Russian Old-Orthodox Church
, another church of the Old Believers. Drevlepravoslavie ("Old/Ancient Orthodoxy") was the common self-designation of the Old Believers and their cause since the 17th century.
The head of the Church carries the title of Metropolitan of Moscow and all Russia (since 1988), with residence at the Rogozhskoye cemetery
in Moscow
. The current head of the Church, Metropolitan Korniliy (Titov)
(formerly, the archbishop of Kazan
and Vyatka
) was elected by the Most Holy Council on October 18, 2005. He was installed as Metropolitan
on October 23, 2005.
History (Belokrinitskaya Hierarchy
The conversion of Met. Amvrosii caused a bitter reaction of Russian Imperial authorities and he was soon pressed to leave his see, but not before he consecrated another bishop for his new Church - archbishop Kiril (Timofeev). The activity of the Belokrinitskaya Hierarchy
on the territory of the Russian Empire met with numerous obstructions from Russian imperial authorities, as well as with an internal schism (see Okruzhniki, Neokruzhniki). The situation was radically changed with the publication in 1905 of the Emperor's Ukaz "On Religious Tolerance", soon followed by the "unsealing" of the altars at the important religious and cultural center of Old Believers, the Rogozhskoye cemetery
.
After the coming of the Bolsheviks to power in 1917 and the Civil war, the Old-Rite Church was subjected to innumerable sufferings and persecutions, just as its former rival, the "Nikonian" Russian Orthodox Church
. In 1940, the only bishop who was not imprisoned by the Soviet atheistic authorities was Bishop Sava of Kaluga who, in the same year, single-handedly elevated another bishop - Irinarch - to the see of the Archbishop of Moscow. The period of persecution was followed by the period of relative stability, under a tight control from the Soviet secret services. However, the time of perestroika and subsequent changes in the country's political, cultural and economic life had a little effect on the position of the Old-Rite Church in the Russian society - the 17-year tenure of Metropolitan Alimpiy (Gusev) is by some considered a time of "recollection".
His follower, Metropolitan Andrian (Chetvergov) in the February 2004, showed himself as a charismatic and talented leader, concerned with formulating and propagating the cultural and religious "message" of the Old Believers for the modern Russian society. While declaring himself as traditionalist and conservative in his public statements, Andrian took a significant step forward in initiating some form of a dialogue with the Russian Orthodox Church
and Russian political establishment. Unfortunately, many such plans were cut short with the unexpected death of Metropolitan Andrian on August 10, 2005 during pilgrimage in one of the remote regions of Russia (he had a chronic heart condition). Many questioned the willingness of the church leadership to continue on the "new course" chosen by Andrian. However, the new Metropolitan Korniliy, elected on October 18, 2005, confirmed that he will continue on the policy of openness to the Russian society, started by his predecessor.
in Moscow. He is elected by the highest representative body of the Church - the Holy Council (Освященный Собор). The Council also appoints the members of the Council of the Metropolia.
The Church has five local bishops and more than 250 parishes in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan. Since several years ago, there have been attempts to restore theological schools for training priests for the Old-Rite Church.
The Russian Orthodox Old-Rite Church belong to the Belokrinitskaya Hierarchy
and was until the 16/29:th of May 2008 in full ecclesiastical and canonical communion with the (Orthodox Old-Rite Church).
, Romania):
In Russia
Eastern Orthodox Church
The Orthodox Church, officially called the Orthodox Catholic Church and commonly referred to as the Eastern Orthodox Church, is the second largest Christian denomination in the world, with an estimated 300 million adherents mainly in the countries of Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece,...
of the Old Believers
Old Believers
In the context of Russian Orthodox church history, the Old Believers separated after 1666 from the official Russian Orthodox Church as a protest against church reforms introduced by Patriarch Nikon between 1652–66...
tradition, born from a schism
Schism (religion)
A schism , from Greek σχίσμα, skhísma , is a division between people, usually belonging to an organization or movement religious denomination. The word is most frequently applied to a break of communion between two sections of Christianity that were previously a single body, or to a division within...
within the Russian Orthodox Church
Russian Orthodox Church
The Russian Orthodox Church or, alternatively, the Moscow Patriarchate The ROC is often said to be the largest of the Eastern Orthodox churches in the world; including all the autocephalous churches under its umbrella, its adherents number over 150 million worldwide—about half of the 300 million...
following the liturgical reforms of Patriarch Nikon
Patriarch Nikon
Nikon , born Nikita Minin , was the seventh patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church...
in the second half of 17th century (Old Believers
Old Believers
In the context of Russian Orthodox church history, the Old Believers separated after 1666 from the official Russian Orthodox Church as a protest against church reforms introduced by Patriarch Nikon between 1652–66...
). It is one of the two Old Believers
Old Believers
In the context of Russian Orthodox church history, the Old Believers separated after 1666 from the official Russian Orthodox Church as a protest against church reforms introduced by Patriarch Nikon between 1652–66...
churches that belong to the Belokrinitskaya Hierarchy
Belokrinitskaya Hierarchy
Belokrinitskaya Hierarchy is the first full and stable church hierarchy created by the Old Believers.The hierarchy was created in 1846 by acceptance of the Greek Metropolitan Ambrose...
- together with the Orthodox Old-Rite Church, sometimes also called Lipovan Orthodox Old-Rite Church
Lipovan Orthodox Old-Rite Church
The Lipovan Orthodox Old-Rite Church is the Romanian based jurisdiction of the Belokrinitskaya Hierarchy ....
. The church is not recognised by the Patriarch of Constantinople
Patriarch of Constantinople
The Ecumenical Patriarch is the Archbishop of Constantinople – New Rome – ranking as primus inter pares in the Eastern Orthodox communion, which is seen by followers as the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church....
nor by those Orthodox Churches in communion with the Oecumenical Patriarch. It is thus considered to be independent of the group commonly regarded as the Orthodox Church.
Since the 18th century until the Council of 1988, the official self-designation of this Church was the Old Orthodox Church of Christ (Древлеправославная Церковь Христова) which should not be confused with Russian Old-Orthodox Church
Russian Old-Orthodox Church
The Russian Old Orthodox Church is an Eastern Orthodox Church of the Old Believers tradition, born of a schism within the Russian Orthodox Church during the 17th century . This jurisdiction incorporated those Old Believer groups which refused to accept the authority of Belokrinitskaya Hierarchy,...
, another church of the Old Believers. Drevlepravoslavie ("Old/Ancient Orthodoxy") was the common self-designation of the Old Believers and their cause since the 17th century.
The head of the Church carries the title of Metropolitan of Moscow and all Russia (since 1988), with residence at the Rogozhskoye cemetery
Rogozhskoye Cemetery
Rogozhskoe cemetery in Moscow, Russia, is the spiritual and administrative center of the largest Old Believers denomination, called the Russian Orthodox Old-Rite Church. Historically, the name cemetery was applied to the whole Old Believer community, with living quarters, cathedral, almshouses,...
in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
. The current head of the Church, Metropolitan Korniliy (Titov)
Korniliy (Titov)
Metropolitan Korniliy , secular name Konstantin Ivanovich Titov ; born August 1, 1947, in Orekhovo-Zuyevo, Moscow Oblast, Soviet Union is a Russian Orthodox Old-Rite Church bishop; Metropolitan of Moscow and All Rus, Primate of the Russian Orthodox Old-Rite Church .-External links:* Official web...
(formerly, the archbishop of Kazan
Kazan
Kazan is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia. With a population of 1,143,546 , it is the eighth most populous city in Russia. Kazan lies at the confluence of the Volga and Kazanka Rivers in European Russia. In April 2009, the Russian Patent Office granted Kazan the...
and Vyatka
Kirov, Kirov Oblast
Kirov , formerly known as Vyatka and Khlynov, is a city in northeastern European Russia, on the Vyatka River, and the administrative center of Kirov Oblast. Population: -History:...
) was elected by the Most Holy Council on October 18, 2005. He was installed as Metropolitan
Metropolitan bishop
In Christian churches with episcopal polity, the rank of metropolitan bishop, or simply metropolitan, pertains to the diocesan bishop or archbishop of a metropolis; that is, the chief city of a historical Roman province, ecclesiastical province, or regional capital.Before the establishment of...
on October 23, 2005.
History (Belokrinitskaya HierarchyBelokrinitskaya HierarchyBelokrinitskaya Hierarchy is the first full and stable church hierarchy created by the Old Believers.The hierarchy was created in 1846 by acceptance of the Greek Metropolitan Ambrose...
in Russia, end of 19th century - Present)
The conversion of Met. Amvrosii caused a bitter reaction of Russian Imperial authorities and he was soon pressed to leave his see, but not before he consecrated another bishop for his new Church - archbishop Kiril (Timofeev). The activity of the Belokrinitskaya HierarchyBelokrinitskaya Hierarchy
Belokrinitskaya Hierarchy is the first full and stable church hierarchy created by the Old Believers.The hierarchy was created in 1846 by acceptance of the Greek Metropolitan Ambrose...
on the territory of the Russian Empire met with numerous obstructions from Russian imperial authorities, as well as with an internal schism (see Okruzhniki, Neokruzhniki). The situation was radically changed with the publication in 1905 of the Emperor's Ukaz "On Religious Tolerance", soon followed by the "unsealing" of the altars at the important religious and cultural center of Old Believers, the Rogozhskoye cemetery
Rogozhskoye Cemetery
Rogozhskoe cemetery in Moscow, Russia, is the spiritual and administrative center of the largest Old Believers denomination, called the Russian Orthodox Old-Rite Church. Historically, the name cemetery was applied to the whole Old Believer community, with living quarters, cathedral, almshouses,...
.
After the coming of the Bolsheviks to power in 1917 and the Civil war, the Old-Rite Church was subjected to innumerable sufferings and persecutions, just as its former rival, the "Nikonian" Russian Orthodox Church
Russian Orthodox Church
The Russian Orthodox Church or, alternatively, the Moscow Patriarchate The ROC is often said to be the largest of the Eastern Orthodox churches in the world; including all the autocephalous churches under its umbrella, its adherents number over 150 million worldwide—about half of the 300 million...
. In 1940, the only bishop who was not imprisoned by the Soviet atheistic authorities was Bishop Sava of Kaluga who, in the same year, single-handedly elevated another bishop - Irinarch - to the see of the Archbishop of Moscow. The period of persecution was followed by the period of relative stability, under a tight control from the Soviet secret services. However, the time of perestroika and subsequent changes in the country's political, cultural and economic life had a little effect on the position of the Old-Rite Church in the Russian society - the 17-year tenure of Metropolitan Alimpiy (Gusev) is by some considered a time of "recollection".
His follower, Metropolitan Andrian (Chetvergov) in the February 2004, showed himself as a charismatic and talented leader, concerned with formulating and propagating the cultural and religious "message" of the Old Believers for the modern Russian society. While declaring himself as traditionalist and conservative in his public statements, Andrian took a significant step forward in initiating some form of a dialogue with the Russian Orthodox Church
Russian Orthodox Church
The Russian Orthodox Church or, alternatively, the Moscow Patriarchate The ROC is often said to be the largest of the Eastern Orthodox churches in the world; including all the autocephalous churches under its umbrella, its adherents number over 150 million worldwide—about half of the 300 million...
and Russian political establishment. Unfortunately, many such plans were cut short with the unexpected death of Metropolitan Andrian on August 10, 2005 during pilgrimage in one of the remote regions of Russia (he had a chronic heart condition). Many questioned the willingness of the church leadership to continue on the "new course" chosen by Andrian. However, the new Metropolitan Korniliy, elected on October 18, 2005, confirmed that he will continue on the policy of openness to the Russian society, started by his predecessor.
Organization
The head of the Church is the Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia (archbishop in 1846-1988), residing at the Rogozhskoye cemeteryRogozhskoye Cemetery
Rogozhskoe cemetery in Moscow, Russia, is the spiritual and administrative center of the largest Old Believers denomination, called the Russian Orthodox Old-Rite Church. Historically, the name cemetery was applied to the whole Old Believer community, with living quarters, cathedral, almshouses,...
in Moscow. He is elected by the highest representative body of the Church - the Holy Council (Освященный Собор). The Council also appoints the members of the Council of the Metropolia.
The Church has five local bishops and more than 250 parishes in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan. Since several years ago, there have been attempts to restore theological schools for training priests for the Old-Rite Church.
The Russian Orthodox Old-Rite Church belong to the Belokrinitskaya Hierarchy
Belokrinitskaya Hierarchy
Belokrinitskaya Hierarchy is the first full and stable church hierarchy created by the Old Believers.The hierarchy was created in 1846 by acceptance of the Greek Metropolitan Ambrose...
and was until the 16/29:th of May 2008 in full ecclesiastical and canonical communion with the (Orthodox Old-Rite Church).
First Hierarchs of the Belokrinitskaya Hierarchy, 1846- present
In Hungary and Romania (Belaya Krinitza, temporarily in BrăilaBraila
Brăila is a city in Muntenia, eastern Romania, a port on the Danube and the capital of Brăila County, in the close vicinity of Galaţi.According to the 2002 Romanian census there were 216,292 people living within the city of Brăila, making it the 10th most populous city in Romania.-History:A...
, Romania):
| AMBROSIOS (AMVROSIJ), Metropolitan of Belaja Krinitza | 28.10.1846 - 26.07.1848 (†30.10.1863) |
| KIRIL (Timofeev), Archbishop of Belaja Krinitza and Metropolitan of All Old-Rite Orthodox Christians |
04.01.1849 - †02.12.1873 |
| AFANASII (Makurov) | 09.05.1874 - †01.10.1905 |
| MAKARY | 10.09.1906- ? |
| SILOUYAN | 1936 - †c. 1941 |
| INNOKENTY (Usov) | 1942 |
| TIKHON (Kachalkin), Metropolitan of Belaya Krinitza | 1943 - †04.03.1968 |
| IOASAPH | 1972 - 1982 (†02.01.1985) |
| TIMON (Gavrilov) | 1985 - 21.08.1996 |
| LEONTY (Izotov) | 24.10.1996 - present |
In Russia
| SOPHRONY, Bishop of Simbirsk | 03.01.1849 - 1853 |
| ANTONY (Shutov), Archbishop of Vladimir 1853- 1863; Archbishop of Moscow and all Russia | 1863 - †1881 |
| SAVATY (Levshin), Archbishop of Moscow | 10.10.1882 - 1898 |
| IOANN (Kartushin), Archbishop of Moscow and all Russia | 16.10.1898 - †24.04.1915 |
| MELETY (Kartushin), Archbishop of Moscow and all Russia | 30.08.1915 - †1934 |
| locum tenens: VIKENTY (Nikitin), Bishop of Caucasus | 1934 - †12.04.1938 (in prison) |
| SAVA, Bishop of Kaluga, Smolensk and Bryansk | †1943 |
| IRINARCH (Parfenov), Archbishop of Moscow and all Russia | 1940 - †07.03.1952 |
| FLAVIAN (Slesarev) | 16.03.1952 - †25.12.1960 |
| IOSIF (Morzhakov) | 19.02.1961 - †03.11.1970 |
| NIKODIM (Latyshev) | 24.10.1971 - †11.02.1986 |
| locum tenens: ANASTASY (Kononov) | 14.02.1986 - †09.04.1986 |
| locum tenens: ALIMPY (Gusev), Bishop of Klintsy | 13.04.1986 - 06.07.1986 |
| ALIMPY (Gusev) | 06.07.1986 - †31.12.2003 |
| ANDRIAN (Chetvergov), Metropolitan of Moscow and all Russia | 09.02.2004 - †10.08.2005 |
| locum tenens: IOANN (Vitushkin), Archbp. of Kostroma & Yaroslavl | 11.08.2005 - 18.10.2005 |
| KORNILIY (Titov) | 18.10.2005 - present |
- Deposed and excommunicated in 1853, repented in 1858, defrocked in 1863.
- Retired; †08.09. 1898.
- The only Old-Rite bishop who was not imprisoned in the beginning of 1940s;
single-handedly elevated bishop Irinarch of Samara and Ufa to the Archbishop of Moscow in 1940. - In 1988 elevated to the rank of the Metropolitan of Moscow and all Russia, enthroned 24.07. 1988.
See also
- Old BelieversOld BelieversIn the context of Russian Orthodox church history, the Old Believers separated after 1666 from the official Russian Orthodox Church as a protest against church reforms introduced by Patriarch Nikon between 1652–66...
- Russian Orthodox ChurchRussian Orthodox ChurchThe Russian Orthodox Church or, alternatively, the Moscow Patriarchate The ROC is often said to be the largest of the Eastern Orthodox churches in the world; including all the autocephalous churches under its umbrella, its adherents number over 150 million worldwide—about half of the 300 million...
- Belokrinitskoe SoglasieBelokrinitskoe SoglasieBelokrinitskoe soglasie is the largest and one of the most 'temperate' and 'optimistic' denominations among the Popovtsy Old Believers. The name derives from the name of the village Belokrinitsa, where the full hierarchy of the Russian Orthodox Oldrite Church was established.From the end of 1840,...
- Belokrinitskaya HierarchyBelokrinitskaya HierarchyBelokrinitskaya Hierarchy is the first full and stable church hierarchy created by the Old Believers.The hierarchy was created in 1846 by acceptance of the Greek Metropolitan Ambrose...