Stoglavy Sobor
Encyclopedia
The Stoglavy Sobor (translated variously as Hundred Chapter Synod, Council of a Hundred Chapters, etc.) was a church council
(sobor
) held in Moscow
in 1551, with the participation of Tsar
Ivan IV, Metropolitan Macarius
, and representatives of the Boyar Duma. It convened in January and February 1551, with some final sessions as late as May of that year.
The Stoglavy Sobor was called under the government’s initiative which aspired to support the church
in struggle against anti-feudal heretical movements and simultaneously to subordinate its secular authority.
The Sobor produced a church code named "Соборное Уложение Собора Русской Православной Церкви" (Synodal Code of the Russian Orthodox Church Synod"). It was formatted as a record of questions of the Tsar
to the clergy
with answers. By the end of the 16th century the text of the Code was formatted into 100 chapters (or "Sto glav" in Russian), and had become commonly referred to as the Stoglav. Accordingly, since these times the Sobor acquired the name "Stoglavy Sobor".
The Stoglavy Sobor proclaimed the inviolability of church
properties and the exclusive jurisdiction of church courts over ecclesiastical matters. At the demand of the church hierarchy the government cancelled the tsar's jurisdiction over ecclesiastics. In exchange, members of the Stoglavy Sobor made concessions to the government in a number of other areas (prohibition for monasteries to found new large villages in cities, etc.).
By decisions of the Stoglavy Sobor, church ceremonies and duties in the whole territory of Russia
were unified, and norms of church life were regulated with the purpose of increasing the educational and moral level of the clergy
to ensure they would correctly fulfill their duties, such as creation of schools for preparation of priests. The church authorities' control over the activities of book writers, icon
painters, and others, was firmly established.
During the second half of the 16th centuries The "Stoglav" Council was the basic code of law for the internal life of religious estate and its mutual relations with society and the state (there are many hand-written editions of "Stoglav").
Some resolutions of the Stoglavy Sobor were cancelled by the Moscow Sobor of 1666–1667
.
Synod
A synod historically is a council of a church, usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application. In modern usage, the word often refers to the governing body of a particular church, whether its members are meeting or not...
(sobor
Sobor
A sobor is a council of bishops together with other clerical and lay delegates representing the church as a whole in matters of importance...
) held 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...
in 1551, with the participation of Tsar
Tsar
Tsar is a title used to designate certain European Slavic monarchs or supreme rulers. As a system of government in the Tsardom of Russia and Russian Empire, it is known as Tsarist autocracy, or Tsarism...
Ivan IV, Metropolitan Macarius
Macarius, Metropolitan of Moscow
Macarius was a notable Russian cleric, writer, and iconographer who served as the Metropolitan of Moscow and all Russia from 1542 until 1563.-Early life and work on the Menaion:...
, and representatives of the Boyar Duma. It convened in January and February 1551, with some final sessions as late as May of that year.
The Stoglavy Sobor was called under the government’s initiative which aspired to support the church
Church Body
A local church is a Christian religious organization that meets in a particular location. Many are formally organized, with constitutions and by-laws, maintain offices, are served by pastors or lay leaders, and, in nations where this is permissible, often seek seek non-profit corporate status...
in struggle against anti-feudal heretical movements and simultaneously to subordinate its secular authority.
The Sobor produced a church code named "Соборное Уложение Собора Русской Православной Церкви" (Synodal Code of the Russian Orthodox Church Synod"). It was formatted as a record of questions of the Tsar
Tsar
Tsar is a title used to designate certain European Slavic monarchs or supreme rulers. As a system of government in the Tsardom of Russia and Russian Empire, it is known as Tsarist autocracy, or Tsarism...
to the clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
with answers. By the end of the 16th century the text of the Code was formatted into 100 chapters (or "Sto glav" in Russian), and had become commonly referred to as the Stoglav. Accordingly, since these times the Sobor acquired the name "Stoglavy Sobor".
The Stoglavy Sobor proclaimed the inviolability of church
Church Body
A local church is a Christian religious organization that meets in a particular location. Many are formally organized, with constitutions and by-laws, maintain offices, are served by pastors or lay leaders, and, in nations where this is permissible, often seek seek non-profit corporate status...
properties and the exclusive jurisdiction of church courts over ecclesiastical matters. At the demand of the church hierarchy the government cancelled the tsar's jurisdiction over ecclesiastics. In exchange, members of the Stoglavy Sobor made concessions to the government in a number of other areas (prohibition for monasteries to found new large villages in cities, etc.).
By decisions of the Stoglavy Sobor, church ceremonies and duties in the whole territory of Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
were unified, and norms of church life were regulated with the purpose of increasing the educational and moral level of the clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
to ensure they would correctly fulfill their duties, such as creation of schools for preparation of priests. The church authorities' control over the activities of book writers, icon
Icon
An icon is a religious work of art, most commonly a painting, from Eastern Christianity and in certain Eastern Catholic churches...
painters, and others, was firmly established.
During the second half of the 16th centuries The "Stoglav" Council was the basic code of law for the internal life of religious estate and its mutual relations with society and the state (there are many hand-written editions of "Stoglav").
Some resolutions of the Stoglavy Sobor were cancelled by the Moscow Sobor of 1666–1667
Moscow Sobor of 1666–1667
The Moscow Sobor of 1666–1667 was a Pan-Orthodox Synod, convened by Russian Emperor Alexis, in Moscow.It was led by Patriarch Païsius of Alexandria, and attended by Patriarchs of Antioch and Moscow, Metropolitans Athanasius of Iconium , Ananias of Sinai , and several bishops and fathers.One of the...
.