Old Believers orthodox churches - Zabytek.pl
Old Believers orthodox churches
The history of the Old Ritualists dates back to the 2nd half of the 17th century, when there was a split in the Orthodox church (so-called raskol). The reason for the split were actions of Patriarch Nikon and Aleksey Mikhailovich aimed at reforming the Orthodox Church. One of the reforms introduced new (revised) liturgical books. Part of the faithful, not accepting the changes, stuck to the old tradition. The order of tzarina Sophia of 1685 on the death punishment for those who will defend the old faith, and later reforms of Peter I, led to persecution and separation of the community of Old Ritualists. Within the community itself, there were also disputes and splits related to the tradition and rites, which led to the separation of two main factions: Popovtsy and Bezpopovtsy.